Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention remains the leading English-language commentary on the European Patent Convention and a long-standing bestseller in European patent law. This authoritative article-by-article reference work provides the complete text of the EPC, its Implementing Regulations, and key case law, together with expert annotations that guide practitioners in interpreting every provision with confidence.
Since its first publication in 1994, Visser’s Annotated EPC has been an indispensable resource for European patent attorneys, in-house counsel, and trainees practising before the European Patent Office (EPO). It is also the only regularly updated, comprehensive EPC commentary in English. The EPO itself recommends the book as the first title on its list of non-EPO/WIPO literature for preparing for the European Qualifying Examination (EQE).
The authoritative status of Visser’s Annotated EPC is further reinforced by its citation in the Enlarged Board of Appeal’s decision G 2/24. In point 37 of the reasons, the Enlarged Board explicitly refers to Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention 2024 Edition, 2025, Art. 106, chapter 1 alongside other leading commentaries when defining the parties to proceedings. This judicial recognition highlights the work’s relevance not only for practitioners and EQE candidates but also at the highest judicial level of the European patent system.
What’s New in the 2026 Edition
The 2026 edition provides a fully updated commentary reflecting legislative, procedural, and case law developments up to early 2026. New and expanded content includes:
- Amendments to the Implementing Regulations since 01.04.2025, including commentary on their impact.
- Updated EPO Guidelines, entering into force on 01.04.2026.
- Recent decisions from the Boards of Appeal, integrated into the article-by-article analysis to support accurate legal interpretation.
- This edition is particularly well-suited for candidates preparing for the EQE 2027, ensuring alignment with the most recent law and practice relevant for both the pre-exam (if applicable) and main examination.
Supplement for EQE Candidates (December 2026)
To support those preparing for the EQE, a supplementary overview of legal developments occurring between the 2026 edition and 31.10.2026 will be published in December 2026. A similar supplement will be published in September for the EPAC candidates. These updates will summarise all changes relevant to the EPC, Implementing Regulations, Guidelines, and case law to help ensure candidates have the most current information when studying or participating in the exam.
