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eEQE 2021 Mock1 – Experience & Tips – A, B & C

Updated 28 Jan 21 with comments from eEQE FAQs
Updated 27 Jan 21: see post on using digital functionality more during exam.

Based on Mock1, C seems doable with 2 papers practice – it is a struggle to deal with such a long answer in a single view, so you really need to be organised. The claims are short, so I just copied the features onto paper.

I could do this paper A within the 4 hours, but I know this paper quite well and it is relatively straightforward.  Not having the letter slows you down – in paper A, you cannot just make one pass and use everything, you have to keep going back to the letter, and there is no way to mark what I have used or not used. Each paper is very different (like a real client’s letter), so you cannot prepare any detailed templates beforehand to help organise. Luckily, you can copy claim language into your answer when you see it – fortunately, with A, the claims are most of the marks and with the combined technology papers, you get a lot of claim language in the current papers. 
B took me an extra 30 minutes. Very hard to do online – there are a lot of  pages you dont have. You need to compare a lot, so it is easy to miss something when clicking on the different tabs. It took me a long time as I had to double check a lot of things. More time would help, but I would prefer to be able to print everything. Or have everything except the claims as filed and the clients claims (consistent with C). Also, a simple way should be provided for including an amended set of claims – in real life, the EPO will only accept very minor amendments without such a claim set (GL H-III, 2.2). The main thing to remember in Paper B is that the clients letter and claims are telling you the direction to go in – if you follow that, but not blindly, you may not need to read everything in detail 
Important is to find the way that is most efficient for you that results in the fewest mistakes. Concentrate on the content (as before) and dont be distracted by additional possibilities to make your answers look nice. Feel free to distribute any materials as long as you indicate the source. There is a separate post for PE and D with many general comments which still hold. I have only repeated the most relevant here.

Hardware – see PE & D post. 27inch external monitor 1280×1080

Software – see PE & D post. 

General plus points:

  • See PE & D post.  
  • When starting Lockdown Browser, it detected that Windows Update was active, giving the chance to stop and turn it off 🙂
  • Can open many tabs of assignments, zoom and search in them, allowing separate views of pages or parts of pages. But max. 10 tabs in total visible for 27 inch screen.
General minus points:
  • See PE & D post. 
  • If something goes wrong (interface freezes) you may have to reset your whole computer. There are some invigilator options in the main tab for saving and printing that can be activated with the Invigilator Password. If you are viewing a different tab, click (i) in browser, select “Proctor Exit”, and then enter Invigilator Password to exit.
  • For A, B, C no highlighting. For pages only available on-screen, impossible to keep track of what you used or noticed. For B, it is a lot to have visible in the tabs.
  • Multiple tabs cannot be named or viewed side-by-side
  • Bug 1: max of 9 additional tabs (in addition to main tab). If you open 11th tab (10th additional tab), browser freezes and PC must be rebooted. It is also possible to click (i) in browser, select “Proctor Exit”, and then enter Invigilator Password to exit.
  • Bug 2: with smaller screens (14 inch), tabs can be opened but not accessed as they are off screen. Max. 6 tabs visible on 14 inch screen. 
  • Only one view of your answer available, so for long answers (A, B, C) you may need to scroll around.

Tips – ME A, B, C

    • See PE & D post. 
    • Use separate online tabs for at least the non-printable pages. For A and C, can use 1 tab for each non-printable page. For B, too many pages, so can group into 1-2 tabs per document. With a 27-inch screen, full page view is easily readable. But max. 10 tabs allowed.
    • For copy/paste in tabs, try selecting bottom up instead of top down before copying
    • CTRL keys work in answer – A, C, X, V, B, U, I etc. “Shift+arrow” works for selection
    • CTRL A, C work in assignment tab
    • CTRL F works for find in assignment tab, or find/replace in answer
    • CTRL Z, Y work for undo, redo
    • CTRL-SHIFT V also works to paste in answer without formatting
    • Use one or two heading types in answer (Heading3 or Heading4) – this allows you to click on headings in Table of Contents to quickly jump (this worked the first time I used it, but when I went back the clicking did not work anymore).
    • To reduce risk of copying wrong details to paper overviews, read assignment in tabs and select dates or facts (as if you were going to copy) before you not them so that you do not lose your place, making it easier to double check.
    • You don’t need complete sentences – answers can be given bullet-style to reduce scrolling.
    Suggested improvements:
    • See PE & D post. 
    • ME: fix the bug that more than 10 tabs requires a reboot.
    • ME: as a general rule, a maximum of 4 pages should be available only on the screen. Any more is to difficult to read when they are in separate tabs.
    • ME: allow 2-4 assignment tabs (which allowing selection & copying) to be displayed side-by-side in a single view.
    • A: Provide all exam to print or give extra time
    • B: Provide all exam to print or give extra time. Possibly compromise: only claims as filed and client claims are unprintable.
    • B: Provide format to include claim set showing amendments
    • ME: allow text-only appendices to be defined and inserted into answer. These would allow different sections of answer to be visible in different tabs. This would help the most in C as the answer is very long. But max. nr of allowed tabs needs to be increased.
    • ME: make sure hyperlinks in Table of Contents work reliably

    CLICK BELOW FOR MORE ABOUT A, B, & C

    A

    • Extra time given: none (still 4 hrs) – one part
    • Pre-print: application drawings, prior art (here 2 docs => 4 pages)
    • Only on screen: letter from applicant (here 7 pages)
    • Note that A 2019 paper is considered relatively straightforward. A lot of claim language is easily identified and there are not a lot of embodiments.
    • 1) Check prior art quickly for any claims – these can hint at categories of claims to be drafted and what they should be directed to.
    • 2) Open each page (expected 7 – 8 pages) in a separate tab. Do NOT open more than 10 tabs as this crashes the browser. If helpful, use (coloured) tabs on top edge of your monitor (P1, P2 etc.).  I also opened a tab for D1 and D2 in case I wanted to copy something for novelty & inventive step.
    • 3a) Add claim headings to your answer as a template, so that you can add things as you figure them out Suggest: DEVICE CLAIMS (also for product, apparatus, system), METHOD CLAIMS (also for process claims), and USE CLAIMS (optimise marks by drafting independent claims in more than one category). Add INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT under each one. 
    • 3b) Add introduction headings to your answer as a template. Suggest PRIOR ART, PROBLEM, DEFINITIONS (for terms used in claims), SUMMARY. Your answer is marked as a whole, so it does not matter if you include something in the “wrong” section. Note that it is not necessary to draft any of the detailed description. The answer template I used is here.
    • 4) Optionally, if the Table of Contents links work, define these as Heading3 or Heading4 so you can quickly jump between parts of your answer. (the hyperlinks worked the very first time I used it, but when I went back the clicking did not work anymore).
    • 5) Also make a TO DO List on paper for things not to forget. Dont make electronically in answer as this will increase scrolling and gets no marks anyway.
    • 6) Prepare to read the applicant’s letter. Main goal is to sort information from exam order (applicant’s story) into a more logical order for drafting independent and dependent claims. In general, if you see claim-like language of definitions, copy them straight away to your answer. In the combined technology papers, all claim terms are given – you do not need to generalise terms yourself.
    • 7) To identify and track essential (for independent claims) and optional features (for dependent claims), you can use several feature/property tables for physical entities and for activities. The goals is not to fill in completely, but just to have somewhere to note the connections – e.g, features/properties with an additional advantage are fall-back positions which will score marks as dependent claims. Properties related to the same object will be in the same claim tree. These tables are based on the EPO Terminology Training Manual. Don’t make electronically in answer as this will be slower, will increase scrolling, gets no marks anyway, and you need the overview to be visible as you draft your claims. Use abbreviations. I did not use the preview window when copying into the answer – it takes up too much of the screen.
    • 8) If you see claim-like language, copy them straight away to your answer under the most appropriate claim header. It is not so critical as you will sort it later. I also included the paragraph nrs so that I know where everything comes from. You dont need to delete these paragraph nrs before handing in – they will not get marks, but they do not affect the clarity of your answer. 
    • 9) Make sure you claim explicitly any products or services mentioned – these always get marks as they are what client wants to protect.
    • 10) Draft independent claims by cut/pasting (CTRL-X / V) features between INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT sections. You need to do this very carefully to avoid losing anything – if in doubt, undo (CTRL-Z). Most marks are for independent claims, so they should be done as quickly as possible. Make sure you include all essential features.
    • 11) If you prefer a paper-based system with more freedom, you can note each feature, property, effect/advantage and the paragraph number on a Post-It® note. If you have separate A4/A3 sheets for DEVICE-INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT, METHOD-INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT, and USE – INDEPENDENT and DEPENDENT, you can move things around and not lose them. This is a picture after completing a paper – I also add notes such as whether Post-It content is mentioned in D1 or D2. 
    • 12) For EACH independent claim – is it novel? Compare to D1 and D2 and write in your answer under NOVELTY at least one feature that is NOT disclosed. If there is any difference in appearance, terminology or properties, explain. If it is a species anticipating a genus, explain. If it is related to ranges, explain. This is the most important step in Paper A – you will lose 35-50 marks if your independent claims are not novel. Copy sections from the assignment and amend them as needed. Again, I would add paragraph numbers to keep track for yourself of where you found everything. Open the assignment side-by-side preview.
    • 13) For EACH independent claim – is it inventive? Write in your answer under INVENTIVE STEP the problem-solution justification. Explain which features of the independent claim achieve the effect. If the feature you need is not in the claim, add it as it is an essential feature. You will be given the effect/advantage – you do not have to come up with something yourself. Copy sections from the applicants letter and amend them as needed. Again, I would add paragraph numbers to keep track for yourself of where you found everything. For some of the novelty and inventive step, it was useful to have the assignment side-by-side preview open as I was writing the argumentation.
    • 14) Draft the most important dependent claims (no more than 15 claims in total). If more options, pick the best fall-back positions. Indicate under SUMMARY the claim and the effect/advantage.
    • 15) Don’t worry about 2-part claims – if you identify distinguishing features under novelty, you will not lose marks. But do include at least 3 – 4 reference numbers in the claims.
    • Overall verdict: A is more difficult to do within the same time. There is no possibility to circle/underline anything to come back to it later – you have to make extra notes on a TO DO list. With paper A, you cannot just make one pass and use everything, you have to keep going back. Seven unprintable pages is too much to remember, and I wasted a lot of time switching between tabs. It should be possible to get the independent claims and novelty / inventive step done within the time. But if it is a paper with a lot of embodiments, it will be a real struggle to get more than a couple of dependent claims. There is also a real danger of accidentally missing something when copy/pasting or accidentally deleting something in your answer.
    • Updated 27 Jan 21: see post on using digital functionality more during exam.

    B

    • Extra time given: none (still 3.5 hrs) – one part
    • Pre-print: application drawings, prior art (here 2 docs => 4 pages)
    • Only on screen: description + claims as filed (here 4 + 1 pages), communication (here 2 pages), letter from client & proposed claims (here 2 pages)
    • 1) Open five tabs for a) description as filed (4 pages) b) claims as filed (1 page) c) communication (2 pages) e) clients letter (1 page) f) clients proposed claims. Optionally, one tab for each prior art (here D1, D2, D3). Optionally 1 tab for each page of description. Do NOT open more than 10 tabs as this crashes the browser. If helpful, use (coloured) tabs on top edge of your monitor (Desc, Claims, Comm, Letter, Client Claims etc.).  I also opened a tab for D1, D2 & D3 in case I wanted to copy something for novelty & inventive step.
    • 2a) Add headings to your answer as a template, so that you can add things as you figure them out Suggest: CLAIMS AS AMENDED (claims as filed showing amendments), AMENDMENTS (explaining amendments and A.123(2) support), NOVELTY, INVENTIVE STEP, OTHER OBJECTIONS. 
    • 2b) Optionally, add a heading to top of answer CLAIMS AS FILED, and copy in the claims as filed from the assignment tab. CTR-SHIFT-V pastes without formatting, so need to split back into separate lines. Double check that they are complete. I did this to have a reference copy in my answer, so that I can check what has been amended in the claims as amended set. There is no need to delete this set before handing in –  no marks are awarded for it, but it does not affect the clarity of the answer – that is based on the claims as amended. The answer template I used is here.
    • 3a) Copy the claims as filed under the CLAIMS AS AMENDED heading, either from the assignment tab or optionally from the top part of your answer. As amendments are made, indicate additions using bold/underline CTRL-B, U. No “strikethrough” is possible in the answer tab – (28/1/21: EPO posts that [xxx] be used to indicate text deleted). It will be clarified in support argumentation what is being deleted. so this is mainly to keep track yourself. 
    • 3b) Optionally, it is possible to use the client claims, and to copy them from the assignment tab under the CLAIMS AS AMENDED. These claims are very close to the intended solution, so it may be more efficient, but you will also have to undo some of the proposed amendments and they have no legal status – support must be provided for amendments with respect to the claims as filed.
    • 4) Optionally, if the Table of Contents links work, define these as Heading3 or Heading4 so you can quickly jump between parts of your answer. (the hyperlinks worked the very first time I used it, but when I went back the clicking did not work anymore).
    • 5) Also make a TO DO List on paper for things not to forget. Dont make electronically in answer as this will increase scrolling and gets no marks anyway.
    • 6) Read communication from examiner. For each objection, select it to save your place on the screen, and read the relevant claim as filed. All objections must be addressed by amendment or argumentation. As this is the “amendment paper”, there are  no marks for just argumentation – they want to see amendment and argumentation. In general, the examiner will not make a factual error.  You should also identify any reasoning given why a feature is considered disclosed. Expect that the independent claims are not novel and all other dependent claims are not inventive – there will not be a quick solution using a dependent claim that the examiner considers patentable. 
    • 7) Mark in D1, D2 and D3 the relevant passages cited in the communication, the claim number and optionally the feature. Note on TO DO list the unusual objections such as clarity, missing essential features or claims not being concise. Other less frequent issues are non-unity, no support in description, unsearchable claims.
    • 8) Read letter from client. The client is the technical expert, so they can propose the direction to go in. It is their business, so they can indicate alternatives or embodiments that can be abandoned. Paper B is designed such that you should follow closely the instructions of the client. But they are not a patent attorney, so their proposals extend under A.123(2) and/or have clarity issues. Only add claims if this is clearly indicated or heavily hinted at.
    • 9) Read description as filed, comparing it to the clients claims. In particular, look for A.123(2) or clarity issues and how to solve them. You are trying to use the clients claims where possible.
    • 10) Prepare a first draft of the independent claims under CLAIMS AS AMENDED with your proposed amendments. Explain the support in application as filed for the amendments.  Copy sections from the assignment and amend them as needed. Refer to paragraph numbers as well. This is one of the most important steps in Paper B – there are a lot of marks for this.
    • 11) For EACH independent claim – is it novel? Compare to D1, D2 and D3 write in your answer under NOVELTY all the features of the claims that are NOT disclosed. If there is any difference in appearance, terminology or properties, explain. If it is a species anticipating a genus, explain. If it is related to ranges, explain. Copy sections from the assignment and amend them as needed. Again, I would add paragraph numbers to keep track for yourself of where you found everything.
    • 13) For EACH independent claim – is it inventive? Write in your answer under INVENTIVE STEP the problem-solution justification. This is one of the most important steps in Paper B – there are a lot of marks for this. Indicate and argue closest prior art. Explain why others are not closest prior art. Explain which features of the independent claim achieve the effect. If the feature you need is not in the claim, add it as it is an essential feature. You will be given the effect/advantage – you do not have to come up with something yourself. Copy sections from the applicants letter and amend them as needed. Refer to paragraph numbers where relevant statements have been found. Explain why inventive  – consider based on Dcl only, Dcl + Dx, Dcl + Dy, Dcl + Dx + Dy. Mention any technical incompatibilities when combining documents. For some of the novelty and inventive step, it was useful to have the assignment side-by-side preview open as I was writing the argumentation.
    • 14) Finish the dependent claims. Check amendments of independent claims has not created combinations which were not disclosed in the application as filed. If necessary, change the claim dependencies. Check antecedence if features have been deleted from independent claims. Note any argumentation under OTHER OBJECTIONS.
    • 15) Check TO DO list or communication to make sure that all objections have been addressed.
    • 16) Check TO DO list or clients letter to make sure that all wishes have been complied with.
    • Overall verdict: Very hard to do online – there are so many pages you dont have on paper. You need to compare a lot – claims as filed with application, communication with claims as filed, clients claims with application as filed etc. It is easy to miss something. A lot of clicking on different tabs. 
    • But the main thing to remember is that the clients letter and claims are telling you the direction to go in – if you follow that, but not blindly, you may not need to read everything in detail (for example, you do not need to worry about unclaimed subject matter in the application unless the client points it out as important).
    • The only way to side-by-side compare is to copy part of the assignment from an assignment tab to the answer tab, open assignment preview, and then delete the copied part – but this is a lot of extra effort which should not be needed. It took me a long time as I had to double check a lot of things. More time would help, but I would prefer to be able to print everything. As a compromise, it would be almost as good to get everything except the claims as filed and the clients claims (2 pages) – the most critical comparison is evaluating A.123(2) support by regularly comparing the claims as amended with the description as filed, including the drawings.
    • Also, a simple way should be provided for including an amended set of claims, either based on the claims as filed or the client claims. In real life, the EPO will only accept very minor amendments without such a claim set (GL H-III, 2.2). Preferably, also a quick way to indicate “strikethrough”.
    • Updated 27 Jan 21: see post on using digital functionality more during exam.

    C

    • Extra time given: 30 mins (now 6 hrs) – two parts
    • Pre-print (1): 1st letter client, application description & drawings, prior art (here 26 pages). 3 pages missing from application (not needed for first part)
    • Only on screen (1): selection of claims as filed (here 1/2 page)
    • Pre-print (2): 2nd letter client, complete application description & drawings, prior art (here 29 pages).
    • Only on screen (2): all claims as filed (here 1 page, including new pages related to 2 pages missing in first part.
    • 1) I have not had time to go through this in detail. The only part that is only on screen are the claims as filed – claims 1 to 3 for part 1 and claims 1 to 6 for part 2 (claims 4 to 6 are related to subject matter that was in the missing 3 pages of part 1) – see picture. Open an assignment tab for the missing claims page for each part.
    • 2) A key step is to keep track of the claim features in the annexes. For this mock, I just spent 5 minutes in each part copying the claim features to my overview. It was then possible to do the paper just as before. For Paper C, the claims tend to be of about the same similar length.
    • 3) The same comments still apply in general to the interface  – it is still slower to have only a preview side-by-side as you are writing argumentation, but if you want to copy something, you need to jump to an assignment tab and scroll there. You should not just be copying large parts of the assignment into your answer – they give marks for argumentation, so you only need short phrases.
    • 4) It would be almost as quick to have a document holder to put pages at eye level, to work fully on paper and just type in your answer as you compose it.
    • 5) The main challenge is that C answers tend to be many pages, and you often work on the attacks in a non-linear way. So most candidates are used to re-sorting their answers just before handing-in. This is no longer possible, and comparing pages is no longer possible.
    • 6a) Add headings to your answer as a template, so that you can add things as you figure them out. Also, answer must comply with EPC for notice, in particular A.99, A.100, R.76 = all relevant info, statement of extent, opposition grounds, evidence, facts and arguments. 
      • Suggest: OPPOSITION AGAINST EPxxxxB1 (A1) (for details identifying patent), OPPONENT, DOCUMENTS
      • Suggest also PRIORITY (effective dates) – CLAIM 1 / CLAIM2 etc, CLAIM 1 – A.123(2) EXTENSION / NOT NOVEL / NOT INVENTIVE, CLAIM 2 – A.123(2) EXTENSION / NOT NOVEL / NOT INVENTIVE etc. 
    • 6b) Your answer is marked as a whole, but for Paper C, it is critically important that it is clear which attack each statement is intended to support. For example, using headings like CLAIM 1 – NOT NOVEL OVER D1, CLAIM 3 – NOT NOVEL OVER D1, CLAIM 5 – NOT NOVEL OVER D1 or NOT NOVEL OVER D1 – CLAIM 1, NOT NOVEL OVER D1 – CLAIM 3, NOT NOVEL OVER D1 – CLAIM 5. The headings can be as long as you want – you can copy/paste within your answer. But if you use a non-linear format, keep track of what you have done and what still needs to be done.
    • 6c) Optionally, add a heading to top of answer CLAIMS AS GRANTED, and copy in the claims as filed from the assignment tab. CTR-SHIFT-V pastes without formatting, so need to split back into separate lines. Double check that they are complete. I did this to have a reference copy in my answer, so that I can check what has been amended in the claims as amended set. There is no need to delete this set before handing in –  no marks are awarded for it, but it does not affect the clarity of the answer – that is based on the claims as amended. The answer template I used for Part 1 is here. 
    • 7) Optionally, if the Table of Contents links work, define these as Heading3 or Heading4 so you can quickly jump between parts of your answer. (the hyperlinks worked the very first time I used it, but when I went back the clicking did not work anymore).
    • 8) Also make a TO DO List on paper for things not to forget. Don’t make electronically in answer as this will increase scrolling and gets no marks anyway. I would also note for each claim the possible attacks as you notice them, and cross them off when you are finished.
    • Overall verdict: doable within the extra time. The biggest challenge here seems to be dealing with the divided subject matter and a very long answer to which you have only one view. If the Table of Content links worked, that would be very useful here. You don’t need full sentences – short bulleted statements are allowed. It is not necessary to sort the attacks in your answer into a more logical order, as long as the context of each statement is completely clear. But you need to keep track of attacks you still need to do.
    • Updated 27 Jan 21: see post on using digital functionality more during exam.
    • Updated 28 Jan 21: EPO FAQs say that you will be able to print your answer to the first part of paper C during the break. Will have to got to “information on flows” page (see point 6.5 in the user guide) and download your answer before printing it.

    EQE guru

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    67 responses to “eEQE 2021 Mock1 – Experience & Tips – A, B & C”

    1. Ila Avatar
      Ila

      I more or less agree with your assessment. I am not too much worried of C&D, I find them doable with the current setting. however I think that the only way of completing A&B within the presently allocated time is to accept to only do very well the essential things (i.e. independent claims in A, amendments+basis and general line of reasoning in B) because if one tries to do everything as accurately as one would normally do, it'll take way too much time. particularly with A there is simply no time to write down on paper everything you spot in the letter and then use that to write the claims. I am not sure if there is any possibility for a change at this point (either regarding the time or the printable parts) and honestly I find it hard to understand why at least highlighting is not provided.

      Reply
    2. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      I hope there are some updates with Mock2 of the interface. Technically, there is no reason not to provide highlighting and side-by-side views of the exam and your own answer. But, yes, it may be too late for this.They can always choose to give extra time or hand out more pages. This is just an organisational / political decision.And also realise that the new combined technology AB papers require less "creativity" than with older papers. This A practically provides a complete independent claim on 1-2 pages. And B tends to instruct: dont add any extra dependent claims.

      Reply
    3. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Thanks Pete for your excellent summary and advice here. I find paper B and C very difficult with the online system.For B, as you've said, it is impossible to flick back and forth with the tabs and finish on time. We really need to print the client letter, claims and communication. For C, when I attack a claim, I might not be so sure on which prior art to use so I normally guess 2 or 3 prior art (that I think are closest prior art) and do my analysis. The problem I have here is that I can't carry out this sort of assessment on paper as it will take too long to then retype it in the answer. The text editor is not easy to deal with as you have to constantly scroll down your answer, so reorganising your answer on the text editor takes a lot of time and effort.

      Reply
    4. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I'm still not entirely convince that Paper C split is good. I think it will cause more problems especially if we have many many features in the claim like the Paper C 2017 where there were multiple partial problems.

      Reply
    5. Craig Avatar
      Craig

      CEIPI method teaches you to do analysis of features per claim so this is a problem for many candidates. Ultimately, I think there won't be sufficient time to adapt to the paper C format. I've done a few paper C past paper online and it has taken me much longer to complete than usual. i'm using the 6 hours for the "5.5 hours" papers and still running well over time when doing it on the computer. Something needs to change.

      Reply
    6. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Probably a silly question but I take it we are still allowed to have our hard copy books/resources to hand, as well as being able to make physical notes on paper? Pretty certain that this is the cade but I can't find anything referencing it!Thanks for all of your hard work!!

      Reply
    7. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      I agree – the C papers are hard to split 50:50. I assume Mock2 will be a better example of how they will do it.

      Reply
    8. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      I assume you mean the approach where you first write out where each claim feature is found in each prior art, and then assemble the pieces later on. This will be difficult in one answer tab as it means you will start with a long answer of disconnected pieces.I can only suggest using headings for each piece (A-1a Claim 1 – D1 discloses xxxx, A-1b D1 does not disclose xxx) and when bringing things together in attacks, refer to the relevant header A-1a etc. But you will probably also need an overview on paper of what you have done and used – it is all extra work.

      Reply
    9. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Hi Pete, thank you for trying out the system. My experience with Paper C was not so positive. I agree that here are advantages to copying over the claims but then I did find it quite difficult to link "technical features" with each claim. Its quite hard to keep switching tabs between each attack. I feel like I need more time and there was a clear unbalanced between part 1 and 2 in this mock. I only figured out an attack towards the end and this is my biggest worry. Sometimes, you feel better starting claims 4-7 rather than 1-4 based on how you read the paper on the day.

      Reply
    10. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Yes – it is still an open book exam. But no electronic devices.Thanks for the kind words!

      Reply
    11. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I see Craig's point here. Sometimes, you may have 2 prior art documents that you think are closest prior art and can only really tell when you fully analysed them. This is quite a common tactic to use but it will be much harder on the computer to do this.

      Reply
    12. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      You're welcome – I will be happy if they improve some of the aspects. To split it properly, they really need to have completely different prior art. I think Mock2 will be better, although I expect that it will be an old paper they have adapted. For example, if you have device claims in part 1 and method claims in part 2.

      Reply
    13. Sam Avatar
      Sam

      The biggest problem I have with all of this is the amount of time I have to spent dedicated on wiseflow, sorting IT requirements and adapting to the new changes. I've barely actually revised for the exams at all in March over the past few weeks. It is taking away alot of exam preparation time.

      Reply
    14. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Thanks for the kind words.Paper C tends to have the longest answers, and they have not really taken that into account. I remember an invigilator telling me a couple of years ago that everyone always asks for extra paper during the C exam. Particularly when you are working on inventive step argumentations.

      Reply
    15. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I agree here. I think they need to make prior art documents very clear and make clear/available the prior art that can only be used in each part. For example, D1-D4 can only be used for claims 1-3 in part I. Some of the old papers were designed so that you can read A2 and it is used to attack claim 7. That would clearly be wasting alot of time if you read prior art e.g. A2 in part I but cannot use it to attack anything until you go over to the claims in part II.

      Reply
    16. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Yes – you are correct. It is a lot to get used to, and the communication about the details has been very chaotic as well. I was glad with all the information from the EPO as it shows that they are really working on it behind the scenes, and I think the D1 part works really well, with single page questions and highlighting. But I miss a project leader or coordinator who gives regular updates and answers questions about the pieces still to be filled in. And an IT helpdesk would be great to help set up everything.

      Reply
    17. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Agreed. If you are scrolling up and down in your own answer, you will have to remember or make notes about your answer. And it is hard to remember (or trust your memory) when you are tired and stressed.

      Reply
    18. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      It doesn't help that when you email e-EQE helpdesk, you get no answer back. They put it in FAQs a few months later but it shows no updates so you end up having to spot the difference yourself of what has been changed and what has been added.

      Reply
    19. D Dr Avatar
      D Dr

      Hi Pete. Thanks a lot for your review it is of unvaluable help.For paper C, I am struggling with Mock 1 compared to old versions as I have to dedicate a lot of time in reading all prior art documents. Hope this changes on the future with versions providing some prior art in the first part and additional one in the second. I also see as a disadvantage no printing the claims and not being able to make notes about their technical effect, etc.I have a question regarding your template of response to mock 1. I've tested copy-pasting the claims in the response as 'Claims as granted' and I agree that it can be helpful to have them for copying features when drafting the response.But, for sections 'Patent opposed' (with dates, etc) and 'Opponent' is this something being to be included in the reponse? If not I do not see much benefit compared with the 'claims as granted' every minute matters.Thanks again for your great posts! I have a question for

      Reply
    20. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Thanks for the kind words.It needs to be an admissible notice of opposition – you need to comply with R. 76, R.77. See GL D-III and D-IVI left out a couple of things:- the title of the invention- the representative details- a comment that the fee has been paid- a text signature of the representative /Mr Stoppelkin*/For identifying the patent, you dont need all the information (publn nr, grant date, filing date, appln nr), but if one of them is incorrect, the others compensate. The reason to put the filing date in and priority is mainly as a double check – if you make a mistake in either one, you may lose a lot of marks as your timeline will be wrong.

      Reply
    21. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      The epi is offering an additional mock for all papers in three languages in WiseFLOW. I assume that is separate from Mock2. I am not sure if you have to pay to do the papers. Certainly, to view the video recordings, you need to pay (60-80 EUR per paper) and 100 people can ask live questions. Registration opens tomorrow (11 Jan 2021).

      Reply
    22. Johan Avatar
      Johan

      epi charges for extra practice with a system they forced us to use ????

      Reply
    23. Johan Avatar
      Johan

      My emotions go up and down – I seen notice of extra mock in wiseflow by epi (https://patentepi.org/en/epi-students/preparing-for-the-eqe/main-examination/#/mock-eqe), but then I see charging 80 eur per paper (for me, 320 eur). So they force use to use an unfinished, broken system, and now make us pay to practice. I cannot believe.

      Reply
    24. Ned Ludd Avatar
      Ned Ludd

      We will see tomorrow when the registration opens.It seems a bit insensitive this year to charge – most of the candidates have already spent hundreds of Euro's setting up their IT (with still a camera to go). "Never waste a good crisis".

      Reply
    25. Ned Ludd Avatar
      Ned Ludd

      epi council meeting – 13-14 nov from Treasurer: "… Various positions in the budget have been affected by the pandemic, both on the income and expense sides. For example, the cancellation of EQE 2020 resulted in no new additional members and therefore less income from the annual subscription, but also less turnover on expenses of EQE Committees…""The Treasurer also informed Council members that after discussion with the Editorial Committee, it was agreed to exceptionally have the last 2020 issue of epi Information printed and distributed as a hard-copy to all members which will represent an expense of ca.35-40 k EUR.Due to the overall changed financial situation mentioned above, the 2020 budget should result in a surplus of +149950 EUR compared to an originally planned deficit of -90500 EUR."

      Reply
    26. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Dear Ned, that is from: Report from the 89th Council Meeting. I don't know what they based their fees on, but note for 2021: "… Overall, it was proposed to adopt a budget for 2021 with a planned deficit of -197060 EUR."

      Reply
    27. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      .. and if they made their own papers, the tutors will have put in a lot of work over the holidays and the weekends. The EQE system is a bit too reliant on enthusiastic unpaid volunteers. The only reason there were mock exams for the combined AB papers in 2016 was a small dedicated group of people working day and night in their own time to get it done.

      Reply
    28. Johan Avatar
      Johan

      Things I find:- CIPA collecting opinions: https://yellowsheet.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/e-eqe-feedback-and-opinions/- Doing A, B & C: https://saltedpatent.blogspot.com/2021/01/eeqe-mock1-experience-tips-b-c.html- Doing C: https://eqe-c.blogspot.com/2020/12/paper-c-split-in-two-parts-in-e-eqe-2021.html- Doing Pre-Exam, DI, DII: https://saltedpatent.blogspot.com/2020/12/eeqe-mock1-experience-tips-pe-d1d2.html- Doing DI: https://eqe-d.blogspot.com/2020/12/answering-d-esp-di-questions-in-e-eqe.html

      Reply
    29. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I do echo some of the comments above. For me, spending time on the system is valuable and makes me realized what is good and not. The problem is that I spent that last month trialing the system and not setting aside sufficient time for revision and exam preparation. I do hope the EPO recognise and account for these mocks.

      Reply
    30. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Just posted on LinkedIn by Katerina Hartvichova: "Papers and model solutions will be available free of charge, tutorial recordings will be accessible after payment. Papers in the eEQE system will only be accessible during hours corresponding to the exam times, on 2-5 February, so a real Mock exam. All candidates should receive an invitation to the flow from the EQE secretariat."So, these are the Mock2 papers.

      Reply
    31. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      This is exactly the disadvantage of the EQE 2020 candidates that many have mentioned last year who cannot afford the resources and have no support this year in taking the exams.

      Reply
    32. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Why do we need so many passwords to get into the exam paper for wiseflow. There are two passwords to get into the paper and then two passwords for each paper. Surely, you only need 1 login details personal to you and that's it. Why is there so much red tape and admin.

      Reply
    33. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Listening the EPO webex – they want candidates to log into the system 1 hour earlier which is outrageous. The exam is already 7-8 hours (accounting for the breaks) which is a whole day. No candidates in previous years are expected to turn up to the venue an hour early and sit in the exam hall. We are now expected to turn up 1 hour before the exam to log on. Performance is going to be massively affected.

      Reply
    34. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      so in the UK, you are expected to be there and logged on at 7.30am for an 8.30am UK exam start. That is ridiculous.

      Reply
    35. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      No breaks for A and B – the EPO thinks its ok for candidates to stare at the screen for 4 hours, 3.5 hours without any breaks. It is against every health and safety guidelines I know of.

      Reply
    36. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      it appears that registraion is not open for epi mock? To my understanding the mock eqe epi offers is the same, which is offered as mock2 of the EPA isn't it? same date?

      Reply
    37. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      During part C2 , would not be possible to have on the screen my notice of opposition of Part C1. This is not good !Why not be possible to print Client letter? or have the possibility to highlight the client letter for A and B ?If the lockdown browser do not allow to highlight as they have said in the WebEx, Why don't let candidates printing Client Letter for A and B ?

      Reply
    38. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      They have also said that in e-EQE, they keep the same time for A and B as before for EQE because they don't split AND that time is sufficient. But they ignore that, the time for EQE was fine with the conditions of EQE as we could highlight the client letter in A and B. Now it is not possible, therefore the allocated time is not sufficient.They need to allow us to print the Client letter for A and B as the lockdown menu do not allow highlight function. Pete I would like to have your thoughts on this.BIG thanks for the whole support you bring to us !Kind regards,Stella

      Reply
    39. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Yes – these are the papers to be used for Mock2. So all candidates can get access to Mock2. There will also be model solutions available free of charge.So, the payment is to attend the live tutorial, ask questions, post on the forum and to view recordings of the tutorials. I have mixed feelings on this – as a content creator myself, I know you can't give away everything for free. But some kind of reduced rate just to view the recordings and read the forum posts, would be nice gesture, particularly for those sitting all 4 papers.

      Reply
    40. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      I raised this point in the tutor-only session – they send you the passwords by email, you put your phone away, startup the browser (which closes off your email), realise you need the password and have to exit. There is no guarantee of anything changing at this stage, but they agreed to look at it to see if you could have one password for the flows.My advice is to print it out and stick it to your monitor.

      Reply
    41. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      The main reason for this is to make sure that everything is working. It is a safety margin – in the end, you decide yourself what you need. When I hear that only 30% of candidates have actually tried Mock 1, I get very nervous. You need to have worked with it to get used to the exam, but also to thoroughly test your own IT system. In the old system, I have never heard of anyone flying in on the same morning to do the exam (except for those living in Munich). I remember a lot of people already there 1 hour before the exam. And the invigilators will have been there as well for some time.

      Reply
    42. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      It is not their preference, but they have little choice here. In the webinar, they mentioned a max. of 1.5 – 2 hrs, so that is likely what they will move to in the future. If you need it, take short, unscheduled breaks. And the A and B are on different days, now, so you have some time to recover.

      Reply
    43. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      The intention for C is that the answer parts dont overlap. But there may be instances where you wonder "did I already do this?".Certainly the general part – identifying patent, opponent, representative, could be in either part. I would suggest having a checklist for that, and cross them off when done. I would also note the attacks completed in part 1 – claims, Nov/IS, docs used.In webinar, they mentioned that the committees are seriously taking the restrictions into account for the paper and the marking. They would not give any more details in the tutor session, but I would guess that non-printable parts are being reduced as much as possible in A & B. We should see some difference in Mock2, I hope, as these should be closer to the actual exam. Speculating how I would do this: for example, Paper A often has sections where the client is explaining about what is known – this can be moved to a piece of prior art. In the past, they have used patent application as prior art, including examples of claims – they could also do that.Similarly, Paper B now has general sections about the structure and function of inventions in the same field. These could also be moved to the prior art.

      Reply
    44. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      See the comment above on A and B. From the webinar, it was clear that they are aware of the highlighting problem, and consider it a technical limitation, which will not be resolved. They also said that they were taking it into account, but would not go into specifics as it is related to the content of the paper. It is clear that they have thought about how to reduce the reliance on highlighting.So, still speculating, in for example in A2019, parts of paragraphs [0002], [0003], definition in [0004], para [0007], [0013], [017] could be moved to prior art, reducing the non-printable part by about 2 pages to 6 pages.In B2019, for example, paras [003], Table 1 + [007] (with additional unsuitable examples), parts of other paras with known features could be moved. That is also a reduction of about 2 pages.Mock1 was mainly to test the interface with an approximation of the papers. Mock2 will be closer to the real exam.

      Reply
    45. Sandra Avatar
      Sandra

      Many thanks Pete! I hope will be so! kind regards

      Reply
    46. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I did paper B using mock 1 and I completely ran out of time. I won't have time to take a small break in the exam.The committee probably doesn't realise how slow we all are without printing, highlighting parts of the paper. It was difficult and time consuming trying to amend claims and scrolling up and down. It will be impossible to take a break and finish on time. I just about finish paper A and again I was notably a lot slower doing the paper.

      Reply
    47. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      30% is low but the EPO need to realise that many candidates have to work and have families and personal life to battle with during this pandemic. I know alot of candidates cannot just try the system on demand. It's the same with mock 2,alot of candidates won't be able to do it. It's a week away. I know I will miss out but the EPO has so far refused to make mock 2 available afterwards so that candidates who can't take mock 2 live will not benefit. The EPO really need to take more consideration the difficulties many candidates face this year.

      Reply
    48. ICT Avatar
      ICT

      I tried mock 1 and they didn't even test camera or printing.

      Reply
    49. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      This assumes that they send your passwords well in advance. If they send the exam password an hour before the exam starts, it will be a disaster.The emails from wiseflow got caught in my spam filter and I only realised a few days later. There is no indication from the EPO when they send out passwords or mocks to try. They should at least make an announcement telling us when they will send out wiseflow details to candidates as I suspect many passwords are stuck in spam folder. If you know it's coming, you won't look out for it.

      Reply
    50. Dom Avatar
      Dom

      We would be interested to hear what are the major points and issues that came out of the tutor only session.

      Reply
    51. Mark Avatar
      Mark

      Hi Pete, firstly thanks for all your time and effort in providing support for the exams. My question is whether it is possible to view two tabs at once, i.e. your answer sheet and another document. Apologies if you have already covered this somewhere.

      Reply
    52. DS Avatar
      DS

      Hi Pete, thank you for all the detailed information. I´m not sure if I get it right. Is it possible to do the Mock 2 later in fabruary (not first week)? For sure not under real conditions but can I do it? Thank you!

      Reply
    53. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      See post here: e-EQE Update – 14 Jan 21 – still some rough edges

      Reply
    54. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Thanks.Yes, you can – if you click on the assigment image next to your answer, a preview window will open up next to your answer. But you cannot copy from it, or highlight, or resize it. And to scroll through it, you have to click on the arrows underneath.

      Reply
    55. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      I am not sure – that was not asked. I have the same problem, but I will probably log at least one to see how the start works. I don't see any reason why they would not allow it. I have just sent a question to the EQE helpdesk.

      Reply
    56. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Anon 11:48: You don't need to do the papers completely. Just go through everything to start the flows and the browsers. Have a look at what is possible in the interface. Using the invigilator password, you can exit the browser without finishing, and go back in later. You need to test your computer setup as well.ICT: I think they will test the camera in Mock2, but I have not seen it anywhere confirmed. The printable files are available in the flow overview before you start tyhe LockDown Browser.

      Reply
    57. Ned Ludd Avatar
      Ned Ludd

      Sorry, epi. Apparently the charge is only for the live tutorials, forums and access to the recordings thereof. These are the Mock 2 papers, so all candidates get access to do them, and there will be free model solutions.

      Reply
    58. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Hi Pete. I am in the same position. I cannot possibly take that amount of time off work to do these mock 2 exams in real time.Is there anyway they can expand this to those candidates who can't do it.Allowing candidates to see the paper afterwards would be a help even if we cannot do it in real time.

      Reply
    59. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      I also have the same issue with mock 2. I cannot attend to it. I hope the EPO will make mock 2 papers available afterwards so that those candidates who simply cannot take the time to do it real time will not be at a disadvantage.

      Reply
    60. DS Avatar
      DS

      Thank you, Pete!

      Reply
    61. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      As mentioned by many many candidates here and elsewhere, the EPO needs to be more flexible with mock 2. The majority of candidates will NOT be able to sit in real time (especially if they are doing 4 exams) to do the mock. That's a whole week they need to set aside for.My suggestion is that they make mock 2 available for longer just like they do for mock 1. The papers are more closer to the real exams so if they don't make it available for longer, it will put a lot of candidates at a disadvantage who cannot afford to take a week off to do the mock 2.

      Reply
    62. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      E-EQE FAQ's updated:Paper B:- indicate deletions with square brackets “[ ]”. Indicate added text with underlining.Paper C:- able to print your answer to the first part of paper C during the break. Will have to go to "information on flows" page (see point 6.5 in the user guide) and download your answer before printing it.- notice of opposition must comply with EPC, in particular A.99, A.100, R.76 – all relevant info, statement of extent, opposition grounds, evidence, facts and arguments

      Reply
    63. A Weaver Avatar
      A Weaver

      Hi Pete,Thanks for the blogpost. I have never attempted paper 2014, and did the Mock1 Part 1 today as a test for next weeks mock2.I noticed that the applicants for A1 and A6 were the same, and even began writing the 'correct' answer regarding effective date of claim 1 due to A6's priority doc being the 'first application'. However, A6 doesn't ever actually state that it discloses a razor cartridge of the type described in A1, so I deleted it and pressed on. If you wouldn't mind, could you elaborate on how A6 discloses the razor cartridge of claim 1? (i.e. having a guard, a blade, and a cap?) Is it to be inferred from the figure, or is it implied somehow?andy

      Reply
    64. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      Hi Andy,good to see you are testing the system. Yes – they are the same applicant, so you need to check for first application issues. But that has to be judged based on the claim 1 as granted. The features that I cannot see in A6 in the text are "cartridge" and the "straight" cutting edge. A1: [0002] indicates that according to the patent, "cartridge" can mean a head fixed to a body.You can then derive both of these from the drawing – the art is read with the eyes of the skilled person. No range is given for "straight" in claim 1 (broad claim) so you are allowed to simply consider whether you would describe it as straight in the A6 figures.

      Reply
    65. Pete Pollard Avatar
      Pete Pollard

      …. Also on C, you don't always get everything exactly matching in the words. They expect you think about whether it is technically the same (going beyond the words and phrases). The exam teaches about the technology involved and what are normal variants.

      Reply
    66. Anonymous Avatar
      Anonymous

      Dear Pete, thanks for sharing your opinion. I have a question regarding the best position for the requests in part C.normally, I would just start with the requirements acc A.99, A.100, R.76. However, since C is splitted in two parts it appears strange to request in the very beginning of part 1 thaht the patent be revoked in its entirety based on ground (maybe) only found in part 2. I wonder if the requests and grounds should be simply placed at the end of part 2 OR to base the request on the ground 100(a)/(c) and optionally (b) anyway in part 1.can you give an advise?Thanks JE

      Reply
    67. A Weaver Avatar
      A Weaver

      Thanks very much Pete, I really appreciate the explanation. Have a good evening.

      Reply

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