EPO Announces Acceptance of Colored Drawings in Patent Filings

According to the Decision of the President of the European Patent Office (EPO) dated 7 July 2025, the EPO will accept colored drawings, provided they are filed electronically, starting October 1, 2025. This welcome development will apply to (i) first European filings filed on or after that date, (ii) European divisional applications, provided the parent application also has drawings in color, and (iii) European applications claiming priority, on condition that the priority application also has drawings in color. The President’s decision will not be applicable to the description and the claims, including formulae, tables, and similar matter.