The book,Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention, is a commentary on the EuropeanPatent Convention and a bestseller in European patent law.

The 2024edition of this preeminent work – the only regularly updated authoritativearticle-by-article commentary in English on the European Patent Convention(EPC), its implementing regulations, and associated case law provides thecomplete text of the law annotated with commentary and expert guidance on theinterpretation of each paragraph. Since its first edition in 1994 it hasprovided the European patent community with the necessary insights to practicesuccessfully before the European Patent Office. The EPO recommends the Visser’sAnnotated European Patent Convention as the first book in its list ofnon-EPO/WIPO literature to be used for the preparation of the European qualifyingexamination.

In additionto a thorough updating of developments, new material in the 2024 editionincludes the following:

•                   Amendmentsto the Implementing Regulations that come into force on 01.04.2024, andcomments on them.

•                   AmendedEPO Guidelines that entered into force on 01.03.2024

•                   Recentdecisions of the boards of appeal

The 2024 edition is suitable for candidatespreparing for the EQE 2025 (new foundation paper F and main examination underthe current EQE regulation).

The book,Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention, is a commentary on the EuropeanPatent Convention and a bestseller in European patent law.

The 2024edition of this preeminent work – the only regularly updated authoritativearticle-by-article commentary in English on the European Patent Convention(EPC), its implementing regulations, and associated case law provides thecomplete text of the law annotated with commentary and expert guidance on theinterpretation of each paragraph. Since its first edition in 1994 it hasprovided the European patent community with the necessary insights to practicesuccessfully before the European Patent Office. The EPO recommends the Visser’sAnnotated European Patent Convention as the first book in its list ofnon-EPO/WIPO literature to be used for the preparation of the European qualifyingexamination.

In additionto a thorough updating of developments, new material in the 2024 editionincludes the following:

•                   Amendmentsto the Implementing Regulations that come into force on 01.04.2024, andcomments on them.

•                   AmendedEPO Guidelines that entered into force on 01.03.2024

•                   Recentdecisions of the boards of appeal

The 2024 edition is suitable for candidatespreparing for the EQE 2025 (new foundation paper F and main examination underthe current EQE regulation).

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).Recognised by the Enlarged Board of Appeal Cited in G 2/24The 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 EditionThe 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.

The book,Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention, is a commentary on the EuropeanPatent Convention and a bestseller in European patent law.

The 2024edition of this preeminent work – the only regularly updated authoritativearticle-by-article commentary in English on the European Patent Convention(EPC), its implementing regulations, and associated case law provides thecomplete text of the law annotated with commentary and expert guidance on theinterpretation of each paragraph. Since its first edition in 1994 it hasprovided the European patent community with the necessary insights to practicesuccessfully before the European Patent Office. The EPO recommends the Visser’sAnnotated European Patent Convention as the first book in its list ofnon-EPO/WIPO literature to be used for the preparation of the European qualifyingexamination.

In additionto a thorough updating of developments, new material in the 2024 editionincludes the following:

•                   Amendmentsto the Implementing Regulations that come into force on 01.04.2024, andcomments on them.

•                   AmendedEPO Guidelines that entered into force on 01.03.2024

•                   Recentdecisions of the boards of appeal

The 2024 edition is suitable for candidatespreparing for the EQE 2025 (new foundation paper F and main examination underthe current EQE regulation).

The book,Visser’s Annotated European Patent Convention, is a commentary on the EuropeanPatent Convention and a bestseller in European patent law.

The 2024edition of this preeminent work – the only regularly updated authoritativearticle-by-article commentary in English on the European Patent Convention(EPC), its implementing regulations, and associated case law provides thecomplete text of the law annotated with commentary and expert guidance on theinterpretation of each paragraph. Since its first edition in 1994 it hasprovided the European patent community with the necessary insights to practicesuccessfully before the European Patent Office. The EPO recommends the Visser’sAnnotated European Patent Convention as the first book in its list ofnon-EPO/WIPO literature to be used for the preparation of the European qualifyingexamination.

In additionto a thorough updating of developments, new material in the 2024 editionincludes the following:

•                   Amendmentsto the Implementing Regulations that come into force on 01.04.2024, andcomments on them.

•                   AmendedEPO Guidelines that entered into force on 01.03.2024

•                   Recentdecisions of the boards of appeal

The 2024 edition is suitable for candidatespreparing for the EQE 2025 (new foundation paper F and main examination underthe current EQE regulation).

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).Recognised by the Enlarged Board of Appeal Cited in G 2/24The 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 EditionThe 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.