Topic-Related Index book - What is it?

The 2025 edition of the Topic-Related Index to the EPC, PCT and UP/UPC - Quick reference for Daily Practice, EQE and EPAC compiled by Roel van Woudenberg and Cees Mulder is a 411-page A4 size book.

In the framework of European patent law, information is scattered over many legal references. This makes it difficult to study a certain topic, for example when handling a complicated case for a client or when preparing for the European Qualifying Examination (EQE). 

The Topic-Related Index book is primarily aimed at practicing European patent attorneys, at trainee patent attorneys as well as at formalities officers in the patent practice. This book enables to quickly identify and locate a relevant Article or Rule in the EPC and/or the PCT when looking for information on a particular topic. At the same time, it provides reference to the relevant finding place in the EPO Guidelines (GL/EPO and GL/PCT-EPO) or PCT Applicant’s Guide. In the tables, reference is also given to the relevant decisions/opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal.

Last but not least, the book provides reference to the main provisions relating to the European patent with unitary effect and the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, including the Unitary Patent Guidelines (GL/UP) issued by the EPO.
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Structure of the book
​In the book, thirteen main topics (9 EPC-related, 3 PCT-related and one on the Unitary Patent and UPC Agreement) have been selected around which a detailed reference guide has been built. For each topic, the critical issues are grouped in tables allowing a structured access of the topic.

The book has been kept compact by only referring to the legal texts and other study material. 

The format of the Topic‐Related Index book book was concepted by Cees Mulder. The current book edition is based on his work and further developments together with Roel van Woudenberg.
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The nineth edition (2025) of the Topic-Related Index to the EPC, PCT and UP/UPC has been updated taking account of the latest developments in the law.
​Indexes
  1. EPC Articles
  2. EPC Implementing Regulations 
  3. Rules relating to Fees
  4. Arrangements for deposit accounts and automatic debiting
  5. Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal
  6. Decisions/Opinions of the Enlarged Board of Appeal
  7. PCT Articles
  8. PCT Rules
  9. Unitary Patent Regulation, Translation Arrangement and Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection
  10. Agreement of a Unified Patent Court and Rules of Procedure of the UPC
  11. Paris Convention
  12. TRIPS

Keyword Indexes
  1. European Patent Convention
  2. Patent Cooperation Treaty
  3. Unitary patent and Unified Patent Court
  4. Paris Convention 
  5. EQE and EPAC related topics

The Indexes are based on more than 6,800 entries and help the users of the Topic-Related Index book to quickly find the relevant topic in the tables​.