Mailbox is a service that enables users to receive communications from the EPO
in electronic format.
With the Mailbox service you can:
- Receive and process incoming documents related to search and examination
procedures (approximately 300 communications; for a complete list, visit
http://docs.epoline.org/myepoline/whitelist_en.pdf)
- View the content of mail items and download them if desired
- Store mail in special folders with search and sort functions
- Enjoy secure access for authorised users only
The benefits of using Mailbox are:
- Communications sent to the company mailbox are:
- immediately available
- provided in electronic format (PDF)
- immediately downloadable (no need for scanning)
- Physical archiving of communications sent to the company mailbox is obsolete
- The Mailbox service enables efficient electronic workflow management
- The Mailbox service provides a clear audit trail for communications received
There are still some limitations to Mailbox:
- Applicants without a representative, employees and lawyers cannot use the Mailbox service
- Communications relating to opposition and appeals procedures and PCT are not yet available
- Further communications relating to search and examination procedures will be made available in the future
Mailbox is available to users accessing the service via smart card login.
Professional representatives need to be associated with a company mailbox to receive
communications electronically.
They do not need to hold a smart card to receive
communications in the company mailbox,
but the EPO strongly recommends that they do,
as this will enable them to also access My Files.
Note: Some communications will continue to be sent only by post until further notice. These are:
- Communications relating to opposition and appeals procedures
- Communications relating to the international (PCT) procedures other than international search reports
- Communications not on the list indicated above
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