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Side 1999

Nov. 4. Europarådets sivilrettslige konvensjon om korrupsjon ... 1 2000

Nov. 29. Den europeiske patentkonvensjon (Revisjonsakten)...11

4. nov. 1999 nr. 1

Europarådets sivilrettslige konvensjon om korrupsjon

I henhold til kgl.res. av 29. oktober 1999 ble konvensjonen undertegnet 4. november 1999. I henhold til kgl.res. av 11. januar 2008 ble konvensjonen godkjent. Konvensjonen trådte i kraft 1. juni 2008. Det vises til St.prp.nr.86 (2006–2007),

Innst.S.nr.41 (2007–2008) og til vedtak i Stortinget 13. desember 2007.

Civil Law Convention on corruption

Preamble

The member States of the Council of Europe, the other States and the European Community, signatories hereto,

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its members;

Conscious of the importance of strengthening international co-operation in the fight against corruption;

Emphasising that corruption represents a major threat to the rule of law, democracy and human rights, fairness and social justice, hinders economic development and endangers the proper and fair functioning of market economies;

Recognising the adverse financial consequences of corruption to individuals, companies and States, as well as international institutions;

Convinced of the importance for civil law to contribute to the fight against corruption, in particular by enabling persons who have suffered damage to receive fair compensation;

Recalling the conclusions and resolutions of the 19th (Malta, 1994), 21st (Czech Republic, 1997) and 22nd (Moldova, 1999) Conferences of the European Ministers of Justice;

Taking into account the Programme of Action against Corruption dopted by the Committee of Ministers in November 1996;

Taking also into account the feasibility study on the drawing up of a convention on civil remedies for compensation for damage resulting from acts of corruption, approved by the Committee of Ministers in February 1997;

Having regard to Resolution (97) 24 on the 20 Guiding Principles for the Fight against Corruption, adopted by the Committee of Ministers in November 1997, at its 101st Session, to Resolution (98) 7 authorising the adoption of the Partial and Enlarged Agreement establishing the «Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)», adopted by the Committee of Ministers in May 1998, at its 102nd Session, and to Resolution (99) 5 establishing the GRECO, adopted on 1st May 1999;

Recalling the Final Declaration and the Action Plan adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the member States of the Council of Europe at their 2nd summit in Strasbourg, in October 1997,

Have agreed as follows:

Chapter I

Measures to be taken at national level Article 1

Purpose

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for effective remedies for persons who have suffered damage as a result of acts of corruption, to enable them to defend their rights and interests, including the possibility of obtaining compensation for damage.

Article 2

Definition of corruption

For the purpose of this Convention, «corruption» means requesting, offering, giving or accepting, directly or indirectly, a bribe or any other undue advantage or prospect thereof, which distorts the proper performance of any duty or behaviour required of the recipient of the bribe, the undue advantage or the prospect thereof.

Article 3

Compensation for damage

1. Each Party shall provide in its internal law for persons who have suffered damage as a result of corruption to have the right to initiate an action in order to obtain full compensation for such damage.

2. Such compensation may cover material damage, loss of profits and non-pecuniary loss.

Article 4 Liability

1. Each Party shall provide in its internal law for the following conditions to be fulfilled in order for the damage to be compensated:

i. the defendant has committed or authorised the act of corruption, or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the act of corruption;

ii. the plaintiff has suffered damage; and

iii. there is a causal link between the act of corruption and the damage.

2. Each Party shall provide in its internal law that, if several defendants are liable for damage for the same corrupt activity, they shall be jointly and severally liable.

Article 5 State responsibility

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for appropriate procedures for persons who have suffered damage as a result of an act of corruption by its public officials in the exercise of their functions to claim for compensation from the State or, in the case of a non-state Party, from that Party's appropriate authorities.

Article 6

Contributory negligence

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for the compensation to be reduced or disallowed having regard to all the circumstances, if the plaintiff has by his or her own fault contributed to the damage or to its aggravation.

Article 7 Limitation periods

1. Each Party shall provide in its internal law for proceedings for the recovery of damages to be subject to a limitation period of not less than three years from the day the person who has suffered damage became aware or should reasonably have been aware, that damage has occurred or that an act of corruption has taken place, and of the identity of the responsible person. However, such proceedings shall not be commenced after the end of a limitation period of not less than ten years from the date of the act of corruption.

2. The laws of the Parties regulating suspension or interruption of limitation periods shall, if appropriate, apply to the periods prescribed in paragraph 1.

Article 8 Validity of contracts

1. Each Party shall provide in its internal law for any contract or clause of a contract providing for corruption to be null and void.

2. Each Party shall provide in its internal law for the possibility for all parties to a contract whose consent has been undermined by an act of corruption to be able to apply to the court for the contract to be declared void, notwithstanding their right to claim for damages.

Article 9

Protection of employees

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for appropriate protection against any unjustified sanction for employees who have reasonable grounds to suspect corruption and who report in good faith their suspicion to responsible persons or authorities.

Article 10 Accounts and audits

1. Each Party shall, in its internal law, take any necessary measures for the annual accounts of companies to be drawn up clearly and give a true and fair view of the company's financial position.

2. With a view to preventing acts of corruption, each Party shall provide in its internal law for auditors to confirm that the annual accounts present a true and fair view of the company's financial position.

Article 11

Acquisition of evidence

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for effective procedures for the acquisition of evidence in civil proceedings arising from an act of corruption.

Article 12 Interim measures

Each Party shall provide in its internal law for such court orders as are necessary to preserve the rights and interests of the parties during civil proceedings arising from an act of corruption.

Chapter II

International co-operation and monitoring of implementation Article 13

International co-operation

The Parties shall co-operate effectively in matters relating to civil proceedings in cases of corruption, especially concerning the service of documents, obtaining evidence abroad, jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and litigation costs, in accordance with the provisions of relevant international instruments on international co-operation in civil and commercial matters to which they are Party, as well as with their internal law.

Article 14 Monitoring

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) shall monitor the implementation of this Convention by the Parties.

Chapter III Final clauses

Article 15

Signature and entry into force

1. This Convention shall be open for signature by the member States of the Council of Europe, by non-member States that have participated in its elaboration and by the European Community.

2. This Convention is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

3. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date on which fourteen signatories have expressed their consent to be bound by the Convention in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2. Any such signatory, which is not a member of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) at the time of ratification, acceptance or approval, shall automatically become a member on the date the Convention enters into force.

4. In respect of any signatory which subsequently expresses its consent to be bound by it, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of the expression of their consent to be bound by the Convention in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2. Any signatory, which is not a member of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) at the time of ratification, acceptance or approval, shall automatically become a member on the date the Convention enters into force in its respect.

5. Any particular modalities for the participation of the European Community in the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) shall be determined as far as necessary by a common agreement with the European Community.

Article 16

Accession to the Convention

1. After the entry into force of this Convention, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, after consulting the Parties to the Convention, may invite any State not a member of the Council and not having participated in its elaboration to accede to this Convention, by a decision taken by the majority provided for in Article 20. d. of the Statute of the Council of Europe and by the unanimous vote of the representatives of the Parties entitled to sit on the Committee.

2. In respect of any State acceding to it, the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of deposit of the instrument of accession with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Any State acceding to this Convention shall automatically become a member of the GRECO, if it is not already a member at the time of accession, on the date the Convention enters into force in its respect.

Article 17 Reservations

No reservation may be made in respect of any provision of this Convention.

Article 18 Territorial application

1. Any State or the European Community may, at the time of signature or when depositing its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, specify the territory or territories to which this Convention shall apply.

2. Any Party may, at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in the declaration. In respect of such territory the Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of such declaration by the Secretary General.

3. Any declaration made under the two preceding paragraphs may, in respect of any territory specified in such declaration, be withdrawn by a notification addressed to the Secretary General.

The withdrawal shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of such notification by the Secretary General.

Article 19

Relationship to other instruments and agreements

1. This Convention does not affect the rights and undertakings derived from international multilateral instruments concerning special matters.

2. The Parties to the Convention may conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with one another on the matters dealt with in this Convention, for purposes of supplementing or strengthening its provisions or facilitating the application of the principles embodied in it or, without prejudice to the objectives and principles of this Convention, submit themselves to rules on this matter within the framework of a special system which is binding at the moment of the opening for signature of this Convention.

3. If two or more Parties have already concluded an agreement or treaty in respect of a subject which is dealt with in this Convention or otherwise have established their relations in respect of that subject, they shall be entitled to apply that agreement or treaty or to regulate these relations accordingly, in lieu of the present Convention.

Article 20 Amendments

1. Amendments to this Convention may be proposed by any Party, and shall be communicated by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the member States of the Council of Europe, to the non member States which have participated in the elaboration of this Convention, to the European Community, as well as to any State which has acceded to or has been invited to accede to this Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 16.

2. Any amendment proposed by a Party shall be communicated to the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) which shall submit to the Committee of Ministers its opinion on that proposed amendment.

3. The Committee of Ministers shall consider the proposed amendment and the opinion submitted by the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) and, following consultation of the Parties to the Convention which are not members of the Council of Europe, may adopt the amendment.

4. The text of any amendment adopted by the Committee of Ministers in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article shall be forwarded to the Parties for acceptance.

5. Any amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 3 of this article shall come into force on the thirtieth day after all Parties have informed the Secretary General of their acceptance thereof.

Article 21 Settlement of disputes

1. The European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) of the Council of Europe shall be kept informed regarding the interpretation and application of this Convention.

2. In case of a dispute between Parties as to the interpretation or application of this Convention, they shall seek a settlement of the dispute through negotiation or any other peaceful means of their choice, including submission of the dispute to the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), to an arbitral tribunal whose decisions shall be binding upon the Parties, or to the International Court of Justice, as agreed upon by the Parties concerned.

Article 22 Denunciation

1. Any Party may, at any time, denounce this Convention by means of a notification addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

2. Such denunciation shall become effective on the first day of the month following the expiration of a period of three months after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary General.

Article 23 Notification

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall notify the member States of the Council and any other signatories and Parties to this Convention of:

a) any signature;

b) the deposit of any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession;

c) any date of entry into force of this Convention, in accordance with Articles 15 and 16;

d) any other act, notification or communication relating to this Convention.

In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.

Done at Strasbourg, the 4th day of November 1999, in English and in French, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Council of Europe. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall transmit certified copies to each member State of the Council of Europe, to the non-member States which have participated in the elaboration of this Convention, to the European Community, as well as to any State invited to accede to it.

Sivilrettslig konvensjon mot korrupsjon

Fortale

Europarådets medlemsstater, de øvrige stater og Det europeiske fellesskap, som har underskrevet denne konvensjon,

Som legger til grunn at Europarådets siktemål er å oppnå større enhet mellom sine medlemmer, Som er klar over betydningen av å styrke internasjonalt samarbeid i kampen mot korrupsjon,

Som legger vekt på at korrupsjon utgjør en stor trussel mot rettsstaten, demokrati og menneskerettighetene, billighet og sosial rettferdighet, hindrer økonomisk utvikling og utgjør en fare for markedsøkonomiens forsvarlige og rettferdige virkemåte,

Som erkjenner de negative økonomiske konsekvensene som korrupsjon har for enkeltmennesker, bedrifter og stater, samt internasjonale institusjoner,

Som er overbevist om at sivilretten er et viktig bidrag til kampen mot korrupsjon, særlig ved å gjøre det mulig for personer som har lidd skade, å få rimelig erstatning,

Som minnes konklusjonene og resolusjonene fra den 19. (Malta, 1994), 21. (Den tsjekkiske republikk, 1997) og 22. (Moldova, 1999) europeiske justisministerkonferanse,

Som tar i betraktning handlingsprogrammet mot korrupsjon, vedtatt av Ministerkomitéen i november 1996,

Som også tar i betraktning forstudien om utarbeidelse av en konvensjon om sivilrettslige midler for erstatning for skade som skyldes korrupsjon, godtatt av Ministerkomitéen i februar 1997,

Som tar hensyn til resolusjon (97) 24 om de 20 retningsgivende prinsipper for kamp mot korrupsjon, vedtatt av Ministerkomitéen i november 1997 på dens 101. sesjon, resolusjon (98) 7 om tillatelse til å vedta den delvise og utvidede avtale om opprettelse av «Gruppen av stater mot korrupsjon (GRECO)», vedtatt av Ministerkomitéen i mai 1998 på dens 102. sesjon og resolusjon (99) 5 om opprettelse av GRECO, vedtatt 1. mai 1999,

Som minnes slutterklæringen og handlingsplanen vedtatt av stats- og regjeringssjefene i Europarådets medlemsstater på deres andre toppmøte i Strasbourg i oktober 1997,

Er enige om følgende:

Kapittel I

Tiltak som skal treffes på nasjonalt plan Artikkel 1

Formål

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette effektive rettsmidler for personer som har lidd skade som følge av korrupsjon, for å gjøre det mulig for dem å forsvare sine rettigheter og interesser, herunder muligheten til å få erstatning for skade.

Artikkel 2

Definisjon av korrupsjon

I denne konvensjon betyr «korrupsjon» å anmode om, tilby, gi eller motta, direkte eller indirekte, en bestikkelse eller enhver annen utilbørlig fordel eller utsikter til dette, som fordreier den rette utførelse av en plikt eller atferd som kreves av mottakeren av bestikkelsen, den utilbørlige fordelen eller utsikten til dette.

Artikkel 3 Erstatning for skade

1. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at personer som har lidd skade som følge av korrupsjon, har rett til å gå til søksmål for å få full erstatning for slik skade.

2. Slik erstatning kan dekke materiell skade, tap av fortjeneste og ikke-økonomisk tap.

Artikkel 4 Ansvar

1. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at følgende vilkår skal være oppfylt for at det kan gis erstatning for skaden:

i. saksøkte har begått eller gitt tillatelse til korrupsjonen, eller unnlatt å treffe rimelige tiltak for å hindre korrupsjonen,

ii. saksøkeren har lidd skade, og

iii. det er årsakssammenheng mellom korrupsjonen og skaden.

2. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at dersom flere saksøkte er ansvarlige for skade fra den samme korrupsjonsvirksomheten, skal de være solidarisk ansvarlige.

Artikkel 5 Statlig ansvar

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette hensiktsmessige framgangsmåter for at personer som har lidd skade som følge av korrupsjon begått av dens offentlige tjenestemenn under utøvelsen av deres funksjoner, kan kreve erstatning fra staten eller, når det gjelder en part som ikke er en stat, fra partens relevante myndigheter.

Artikkel 6

Skadelidtes medvirkning

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at erstatningen blir redusert eller underkjent, under hensyn til alle omstendigheter, dersom saksøkeren ved sin egen feil har medvirket til skaden eller til å forverre den.

Artikkel 7 Foreldelsesfrister

1. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at det for krav om skadeserstatning skal gjelde en foreldelsesfrist på ikke mindre enn tre år fra den dato da personen som har lidd skaden, ble kjent med eller med rimelighet burde ha vært kjent med at skaden var oppstått eller at korrupsjon hadde funnet sted, og med den ansvarlige personens identitet. Slike krav kan likevel ikke fremsettes etter utløpet av en foreldelsesfrist på ikke mindre enn ti år fra datoen da korrupsjonen fant sted.

2. Partenes lovgivning om midlertidig opphør eller avbrytelse av foreldelsesfrister skal, når det er hensiktsmessig, få anvendelse på fristene fastsatt i nr. 1.

Artikkel 8 Gyldighet av avtaler

1. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at enhver avtale eller avtaleklausul som innebærer korrupsjon, skal være død og maktesløs.

2. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at alle avtaleparter hvis samtykke er undergravd av korrupsjon, skal ha mulighet til å gå til retten for å få avtalen erklært ugyldig, uten at deres rett til å kreve skadeserstatning berøres.

Artikkel 9 Vern av arbeidstakere

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette hensiktsmessig vern mot enhver uberettiget sanksjon mot arbeidstakere som har rimelig grunn til å ha mistanke om korrupsjon og som i god tro melder fra om sin mistanke til ansvarlige personer eller myndigheter.

Artikkel 10 Regnskap og revisjon

1. Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning treffe alle nødvendige tiltak for at bedrifters årsregnskap settes opp tydelig og gir et pålitelig bilde av bedriftens økonomiske stilling.

2. Med henblikk på å hindre korrupsjon skal partene i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette at revisorer skal bekrefte at årsregnskapet gir et pålitelig bilde av bedriftens økonomiske stilling.

Artikkel 11 Innhenting av bevis

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette effektive framgangsmåter for innhenting av bevis i sivile saker som oppstår som følge av korrupsjon.

Artikkel 12 Midlertidige tiltak

Partene skal i sin nasjonale lovgivning fastsette regler for slike rettslige pålegg som er nødvendige for å sikre partenes rettigheter og interesser under sivile saker som følge av korrupsjon.

Kapittel II

Internasjonalt samarbeid og overvåkning av gjennomføringen Artikkel 13

Internasjonalt samarbeid

Partene skal samarbeide effektivt om forhold angående sivile saker i tilfeller av korrupsjon, særlig vedrørende utveksling av dokumenter, framskaffelse av bevis i utlandet, jurisdiksjon, anerkjennelse og iverksettelse av utenlandske dommer og saksomkostninger, i samsvar med bestemmelsene i relevante internasjonale avtaler om internasjonalt samarbeid i sivile og handelsmessige saker de er part i, samt med deres nasjonale lovgivning.

Artikkel 14 Overvåkning

Gruppen av stater mot korrupsjon (GRECO) skal overvåke de kontraherende parters gjennomføring av denne konvensjonen.

Kapittel III Sluttbestemmelser

Artikkel 15

Undertegning og ikrafttredelse

1. Denne konvensjon skal være åpen for undertegning for Europarådets medlemsstater, for ikke- medlemsstater som har deltatt i utarbeidelsen av den og for Det europeiske fellesskap.

2. Denne konvensjon skal ratifiseres, godtas eller godkjennes. Ratifiserings-, godtakelses- eller godkjennelsesdokumenter skal deponeres hos Europarådets generalsekretær.

3. Denne konvensjon trer i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder etter den dato da fjorten signatarer har gitt sitt samtykke til å være bundet av konvensjonen i samsvar med bestemmelsene i nr. 2. En slik signatar som ikke er medlem i Gruppen av stater mot korrupsjon (GRECO) ved ratifisering, godtakelse eller godkjennelse, skal automatisk bli medlem på den dato konvensjonen trer i kraft.

4. For en signatar som deretter gir sitt samtykke til å være bundet av konvensjonen, trer konvensjonen i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder etter den dato da samtykke ble gitt til å være bundet av konvensjonen i samsvar med bestemmelsene i nr. 2. En signatar som ikke er medlem i Gruppen av stater mot korrupsjon (GRECO) ved ratifisering, godtakelse eller godkjennelse, skal automatisk bli medlem på den dato konvensjonen trer i kraft for signataren.

5. Eventuelle særskilte regler for Det europeiske fellesskaps deltakelse i Gruppen av stater mot korrupsjon (GRECO) skal fastsettes i den grad det er nødvendig ved gjensidig avtale med Det europeiske fellesskap.

Artikkel 16

Tiltredelse til konvensjonen

1. Etter at denne konvensjon er trådt i kraft, kan ministerkomitéen i Europarådet, etter konsultasjon med konvensjonspartene, invitere enhver stat som ikke er medlem av Rådet og som ikke har deltatt i utarbeidelsen av konvensjonen, til å tiltre denne konvensjon, ved et vedtak gjort med det flertall som er fastsatt i artikkel 20d i Europarådets vedtekter og ved enstemmig avstemning blant representantene for partene som har rett til å sitte i ministerkomitéen.

2. For stater som tiltrer konvensjonen, trer konvensjonen i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder etter datoen for deponering av tiltredelsesdokumentet hos Europarådets generalsekretær. En stat som tiltrer denne konvensjon, skal automatisk bli medlem i GRECO, dersom den ikke allerede er medlem ved tiltredelse, på den dato konvensjonen trer i kraft for den.

Artikkel 17 Forbehold

Det kan ikke tas noe forbehold mot noen bestemmelse i denne konvensjon.

Artikkel 18 Territoriell anvendelse

1. En stat eller Det europeiske fellesskap kan ved undertegning eller ved deponering av sitt ratifiserings-, godtakelses-, godkjennelses- eller tiltredelsesdokument oppgi det territorium eller de territorier denne konvensjon får anvendelse på.

2. En part kan på et senere tidspunkt, ved en erklæring rettet til Europarådets generalsekretær, utvide anvendelsen av denne konvensjon til et annet territorium oppgitt i erklæringen. For et slikt territorium trer konvensjonen i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder fra den dato generalsekretæren mottar en slik erklæring.

3. En erklæring avgitt etter de to foregående numre kan for et territorium oppgitt i erklæringen, tilbakekalles ved underretning rettet til Europarådets generalsekretær. Tilbakekallelsen trer i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder fra den dato generalsekretæren mottar slik underretning.

Artikkel 19

Forholdet til andre dokumenter og avtaler

1. Denne konvensjon berører ikke de rettigheter og forpliktelser som skriver seg fra internasjonale multilaterale dokumenter om særskilte forhold.

2. Partene i konvensjonen kan inngå bilaterale eller multilaterale avtaler med hverandre om de forhold som omhandles i denne konvensjon, med henblikk på å utfylle eller styrke dens bestemmelser eller lette anvendelsen av prinsippene fastlagt i den eller, uten at denne konvensjons formål og prinsipper berøres, underlegge seg regler om disse forholdene innenfor rammen av et spesielt system som er bindende på det tidspunkt denne konvensjon åpnes for undertegning.

3. Dersom to eller flere parter allerede har inngått en avtale eller traktat om et tema som omhandles i denne konvensjon eller på annen måte har opprettet forbindelser angående dette tema, skal de ha rett til å anvende avtalen eller traktaten eller å regulere disse forbindelsene slik, i stedet for denne konvensjon.

Artikkel 20 Endringer

1. Endringer i denne konvensjon kan foreslås av enhver part og skal meddeles av Europarådets generalsekretær til Europarådets medlemsstater, til de ikke-medlemsstater som har deltatt i utarbeidelsen av denne konvensjon, til Det europeiske fellesskap, samt til enhver stat som har tiltrådt eller er invitert til å tiltre denne konvensjon i samsvar med bestemmelsene i artikkel 16.

2. En endring foreslått av en part skal meddeles Den europeiske komité for juridisk samarbeid (CDCJ), som skal framlegge sin uttalelse om endringsforslaget for Ministerkomitéen.

3. Ministerkomitéen skal behandle endringsforslaget og uttalelsen framlagt av Den europeiske komité for juridisk samarbeid (CDCJ) og kan, etter konsultasjon med de parter i konvensjonen som ikke er medlemmer av Europarådet, vedta endringen.

4. Teksten til endringen vedtatt av ministerkomitéen i samsvar med nr. 3 i denne artikkel skal oversendes partene for godtakelse.

5. En endring vedtatt i samsvar med nr. 3 i denne artikkel trer i kraft på den trettiende dag etter at alle parter har underrettet generalsekretæren om at de har godtatt den.

Artikkel 21 Tvisteløsning

1. Europarådets europeiske komité for juridisk samarbeid (CDCJ) skal holdes underrettet om fortolkningen og anvendelsen av denne konvensjon.

2. I tilfelle av en tvist mellom partene om fortolkning eller anvendelse av denne konvensjon skal de forsøke å løse tvisten ved forhandlinger eller andre fredelige midler etter eget valg, herunder foreleggelse av tvisten for Den europeiske komité for juridisk samarbeid (CDCJ), for en voldgiftsdomstol hvis beslutninger skal være bindende for partene, eller for Den internasjonale domstol, som avtalt mellom de berørte parter.

Artikkel 22 Oppsigelse

1. En part kan til enhver tid si opp denne konvensjon ved en underretning rettet til Europarådets generalsekretær.

2. En slik oppsigelse trer i kraft på den første dag i den måned som følger etter utløpet av en periode på tre måneder fra den dato generalsekretæren mottar underretningen.

Artikkel 23 Underretning

Europarådets generalsekretær skal underrette rådets medlemsstater og øvrige signatarer og parter i denne konvensjon, om:

a) undertegninger,

b) deponering av ratifiserings-, godtakelses-, godkjennelses- eller tiltredelsesdokumenter, c) ikrafttredelsesdatoer for denne konvensjon i samsvar med artikkel 15 og 16,

d) andre handlinger, underretninger eller meddelelser angående denne konvensjon.

Til bevitnelse av dette har de undertegnede, som har behørig fullmakt, undertegnet denne konvensjon.

Utferdiget i Strasbourg, den fjerde dag i november 1999 på engelsk og fransk, med samme gyldighet for begge tekster, i ett enkelt eksemplar som skal deponeres i Europarådets arkiv. Europarådets generalsekretær skal oversende rettkjente kopier til hver medlemsstat i Europarådet, til ikke- medlemsstater som har deltatt i utarbeidelsen av denne konvensjon, til Det europeiske fellesskap og til alle stater som er invitert til å tiltre den.

29. nov. 2000 nr. 23

Den europeiske patentkonvensjon (Revisjonsakten)

I henhold til kgl.res. av 29. juni 2007 ble revisjonsakten tiltrådt. Revisjonsakten trådte i kraft 1. januar 2008. Det vises til St.prp.nr.53 (2006–2007), Innst.S.nr.253 (2006–2007) og til vedtak i Stortinget 11. juni 2007.

European Patent Convention 2000 as adopted by decision of the Administrative Council of 28 June 2001

Preamble

The Contracting States,

desiring to strengthen co-operation between the States of Europe in respect of the protection of inventions,

desiring that such protection may be obtained in those States by a single procedure for the grant of patents, and by the establishment of certain standard rules governing patents so granted,

desiring, for this purpose, to conclude a Convention which establishes a European Patent Organisation and which constitutes a special agreement within the meaning of Article 19 of the Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, signed in Paris on 20 March 1883 and last revised on 14 July 1967, and regional patent treaty within the meaning of Article 45, paragraph 1, of the Patent Co-operation Treaty of 19 June 1970,

have agreed on the following provions:

Part I

General and institutional provisions Chapter 1

General provisions Article 1

European law for the grant of patents

A system of law, common to the Contracting States, for the grant of patents for invention is established by this Convention.

Article 2 European patent

1. Patents granted under this Convention shall be called European patents.

2. The European patent shall, in each of the Contracting States for which it is granted, have the effect of and be subject to the same conditions as a national patent granted by the State, unless this Convention provides otherwise.

Article 3 Territorial effect

The grant of a European patent may be requested for one or more of the Contracting Parties.

Article 4

European Patent Organisation

1. A European Patent Organisation, hereinafter referred to as the Organisation, is established by this Convention. It shall have administrative and financial autonomy.

2. The organs of the Organisation shall be:

a) the European Patent Office;

b) the Administrative Council.

3. The task of the Organisation shall be to grant European patents. This shall be carried out by the European Patent Office supervised by the Administrative Council.

Article 4 a

Conference of ministers of the Contracting States

A conference of ministers of the Contracting States responsible for patent matters shall meet at least every five years to discuss issues pertaining to the Organisation and to the European patent system.

Chapter II

The European Patent Organisation Article 5

Legal Status

2. In each of the Contracting States, the Organisation shall enjoy the most extensive legal capacity accorded to legal persons under the national law of that State; it may in particular acquire or dispose of movable and immovable property and may be a party to legal proceedings.

3. The President of the European Patent Office shall represent the Organisation.

Article 6 Headquarters

2. The European Patent Office shall be located in Munich. It shall have a branch at The Hague.

Article 7

Sub-offices of the European Patent Office

By decision of the Administrative Council, sub-offices of the European Patent Office may be created, if need be, for the purpose of information and liaison, in the Contracting States and with intergovernmental organisations in the field of industrial property, subject to the approval of the Contracting State or organisation concerned.

Article 8

Privileges and immunities

The Protocol on Privileges and Immunities annexed to this Convention shall define the conditions under which the Organisation, the members of the Administrative Council, the employees of the European Patent Office, and such other persons specified in that Protocol as take part in the work of the Organisation, shall enjoy, in each Contracting State, the privileges and immunities necessary for the performance of their duties.

Article 9 Liability

1. The contractual liability of the Organisation shall be governed by the law applicable to the contract in question.

2. The non-contractual liability of the Organisation in respect of any damage caused by it or by the employees of the European Patent Office in the performance of their duties shall be governed by the law of the Federal Republic of Germany. Where the damage is caused by the branch at The Hague or a sub-office or employees attached thereto, the law of the Contracting State in which such branch or sub-office is located shall apply.

3. The personal liability of the employees of the European Patent Office towards the Organisation shall be governed by their Service Regulations or conditions of employment.

4. The courts with jurisdiction to settle disputes under paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be:

a) for disputes under paragraph 1, the courts of the Federal Republic of Germany, unless the contract concluded between the parties designates a court of another State;

b) for disputes under paragraph 2, the courts of the Federal Republic of Germany, or of the State in which the branch or sub-office is located.

Chapter III

The European Patent Office Article 10

Management

1. The European Patent Office shall be managed by the President, who shall be responsible for its activities to the Administrative Council.

2. To this end, the President shall have in particular the following functions and powers:

a) he shall take all necessary steps to ensure the functioning of the European Patent Office, including the adoption of internal administrative instructions and information to the public;

b) unless this Convention provides otherwise, he shall prescribe which acts are to be performed at the European Patent Office in Munich and its branch at The Hague respectively;

c) he may submit to the Administrative Council any proposal for amending this Convention, for general regulations, or for decisions which come within the competence of the Administrative Council;

d) he shall prepare and implement the budget and any amending or supplementary budget;

e) he shall submit a management report to the Administrative Council each year;

f) he shall exercise supervisory authority over the staff;

g) subject to Article 11, he shall appoint the employees and decide on their promotion;

h) he shall exercise disciplinary authority over the employees other than those referred to in Article 11, and may propose disciplinary action to the Administrative Council with regard to employees referred to in Article 11, paragraphs 2 and 3;

i) he may delegate his functions and powers.

3. The President shall be assisted by a number of Vice-Presidents. If the President is absent or indisposed, one of the Vice-Presidents shall take his place in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Administrative Council.

Article 11

Appointment of senior employees

1. The President of the European Patent Office shall be appointed by the Administrative Council.

2. The Vice-Presidents shall be appointed by the Administrative Council after the President of the European Patent Office has been consulted.

3. The members, including the Chairmen, of the Boards of Appeal and of the Enlarged Board of Appeal shall be appointed by the Administrative Council on a proposal from the President of the European Patent Office. They may be re-appointed by the Administrative Council after the President of the European Patent Office has been consulted.

4. The Administrative Council shall exercise disciplinary authority over the employees referred to in paragraphs 1 to 3.

5. The Administrative Council, after consulting the President of the European Patent Office, may also appoint as members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal legally qualified members of the national courts or quasi-judicial authorities of the Contracting States, who may continue their judicial activities at the national level. They shall be appointed for a term of three years and may be re- appointed.

Article 12 Duties of office

Employees of the European Patent Office shall be bound, even after the termination of their employment, neither to disclose nor to make use of information which by its nature is a professional secret.

Article 13

Disputes between the Organisation and the employees of the European Patent Office

apply to the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization in the case of disputes with the European Patent Organisation, in accordance with the Statute of the Tribunal and within the limits and subject to the conditions laid down in the Service Regulations for permanent employees or the Pension Scheme Regulations or arising from the conditions of employment of other employees.

2. An appeal shall only be admissible if the person concerned has exhausted such other means of appeal as are available to him under the Service Regulations, the Pension Scheme Regulations or the conditions for employment.

Article 14

Languages of the European Patent Office, European patent applications and other documents

2. A European patent application shall be filed in one of the official languages or, if filed in any other language, translated into one of the official languages in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. Throughout the proceedings before the European Patent Office, such translation may be brought into conformity with the application as filed. If a required translation is not filed in due time, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.

3. The official language of the European Patent Office in which the European patent application is field or into which it is translated shall be used as the language of the proceedings in all proceedings before the European Patent Office, unless the Implementing Regulations provide otherwise.

4. Natural or legal persons having their residence or principal place of business within a Contracting State having a language other than English, French or German as an official language, and nationals of that State who are resident abroad, may file documents which have to be filed within a time limit in an official language of that State. They shall, however, file a translation in an official language of the European Patent Office in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. If any document, other than those documents making up the European patent application, is not filed in the prescribed language, or if any required translation is not filed in due time, the document shall be deemed not to have been filed.

5. European patent applications shall be published in the language of the proceedings.

6. Specifications of European patents shall be published in the language of the proceedings and shall include a translation of the claims in the other two official languages of the European Patent Office.

7. The following shall be published in the three official languages of the European Patent Office:

a) the European Patent Bulletin;

b) the Official Journal of the European Patent Office.

8. Entries in the European Patent Register shall be made in the three official languages of the European Patent Office. In cases of doubt, the entry in the language of the proceedings shall be authentic.

Article 15

Departments entrusted with the procedure

To carry out the procedures laid down in this Convention, the following shall be set up within the European Patent Office:

a) a Receiving Section;

b) Search Divisions;

c) Examining Divisions;

d) Opposition Divisions;

e) a Legal Division;

f) Boards of Appeal;

g) an Enlarged Board of Appeal.

Article 16 Receiving Section

The Receiving Section shall be responsible for the examination on filing and the examination as to formal requirements of European patent applications.

Article 17 Search Divisions

The Search Divisions shall be responsible for drawing up European search reports.

Article 18 Examining Divisions

The Examining Division shall consist of three technically qualified examiners. However, before a decision is taken on a European patent application, its examination shall, as a general rule, be entrusted to one member of the Examining Division. Oral proceedings shall be before the Examining Division itself.

If the Examining Division considers that the nature of the decision so requires, it shall be enlarged by the addition of a legally qualified examiner. In the event of parity of votes, the vote of the Chairman of the Examining Division shall be decisive.

Article 19 Opposision Divisions

1. The Opposition Divisions shall be responsible for the examination of oppositions against any European patent.

2. An Opposition Division shall consist of three technically qualified examiners, at least two of whom shall not have taken part in the proceedings for grant of the patent to which the opposition relates. An examiner who has taken part in the proceedings for the grant of the European patent may not be the Chairman. Before a decision is taken on the opposition, the Opposition Division may entrust the examination of the opposition to one of its members. Oral proceedings shall be before the Opposition Division itself. If the Opposition Division considers that the nature of the decision so requires, it shall be enlarged by the addition of a legally qualified examiner who shall not have taken part in the proceedings for grant of the patent. In the event of parity of votes, the vote of the Chairman of the Opposition Division shall be decisive.

Article 20 Legal Division

1. The Legal Division shall be responsible for decisions in respect of entries in the Register of European Patents and in respect of registration on, and deletion from, the list of professional representatives.

2. Decisions of the Legal Division shall be taken by one legally qualified member.

Article 21 Boards of Appeal

1. The Boards of Appeal shall be responsible for the examination of appeals from decisions of the Receiving Section, the Examining Divisions and Opposition Divisions, and the Legal Division.

2. For appeals from decisions of the Receiving Section or the Legal Division, a Board of Appeal shall consist of three legally qualified members.

3. For appeals from a decision of an Examining Division, a Board of Appeal shall consist of:

a) two technically qualified members and one legally qualified member, when the decision concerns the refusal of a European patent application or the grant, limitation or revocation of a European patent, and was taken by an Examining Division consisting of less than four members;

b) three technically and two legally qualified members, when the decision was taken by an Examining Division consisting of four members, or when the Board of Appeal considers that the nature of the appeal so requires;

c) three legally qualified members in all other cases.

4. For appeals from a decision of an Opposition Division, a Board of Appeal shall consist of:

a) two technically qualified members and one legally qualified member, when the decision was taken by an Opposition Division consisting of three members;

b) three technically and two legally qualified members, when the decision was taken by an Opposition Division consisting of four members, or when the Board of Appeal considers that the nature of the appeal so requires.

Article 22

Enlarged Board of Appeal

a) deciding on points of law referred to it by Boards of Appeal under Article 112;

b) giving opinions on points of law referred to it by the President of the European Patent Office under Article 112;

c) deciding on petitions for review of decisions of the Boards of Appeal under Article 112a.

2. In proceedings under paragraph 1(a) and (b), the Enlarged Board of Appeal shall consist of five legally and two technically qualified members. In proceedings under paragraph 1(c), the Enlarged Board of Appeal shall consist of three or five members as laid down in the Implementing Regulations. In all proceedings, a legally qualified member shall be the Chairman.

Article 23

Independence of the members of the Boards

1. The members of the Enlarged Board of Appeal and of the Boards of Appeal shall be appointed for a term of five years and may not be removed from office during this term, except if there are serious grounds for such removal and if the Administrative Council, on a proposal from the Enlarged Board of Appeal, takes a decision to this effect. Notwithstanding sentence 1, the term of office of members of the Boards shall end if they resign or are retired in accordance with the Service Regulations for permanent employees of the European Patent Office.

2. The members of the Boards may not be members of the Receiving Section, Examining Divisions, Opposition Divisions or Legal Division.

3. In their decisions the members of the Boards shall not be bound by any instructions and shall comply only with the provisions of this Convention.

4. The Rules of Procedure of the Board of Appeal and the Enlarged Board of Appeal shall be adopted in accordance with the Implementing Regulations. They shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Council.

Article 24

Exclusion and objection

1. Members of the Boards of Appeal or of the Enlarged Board of Appeal may not take part in a case in which they have any personal interest, or if they have previously been involved as representatives of one of the parties, or if they participated in the decision under appeal.

2. If, for one of the reasons mentioned in paragraph 1, or for any other reason, a member of a Board of Appeal or of the Enlarged Board of Appeal considers that he should not take part in any appeal, he shall inform the Board accordingly.

3. Members of a Board of Appeal or of the Enlarged Board of Appeal may be objected to by any party for one of the reasons mentioned in paragraph 1, or if suspected of partiality. An objection shall not be admissible if, while being aware of a reason for objection, the party has taken a procedural step. An objection may not be based upon the nationality of members.

4. The Boards of Appeal and the Enlarged Board of Appeal shall decide as to the action to be taken in the cases specified in paragraphs 2 and 3, without the participation of the member concerned. For the purposes of taking this decision the member objected to shall be replaced by his alternate.

Article 25 Technical opinion

At the request of the competent national court hearing an infringement or revocation action, the European Patent Office shall be obliged, on payment of an appropriate fee, to give a technical opinion concerning the European patent which is the subject of the action. The Examining Division shall be responsible for issuing such opinions.

Chapter IV

The Administrative Council Article 26

Membership

1. The Administrative Council shall be composed of the Representatives and the alternate Representatives of the Contracting States. Each Contracting State shall be entitled to appoint one Representative and one alternate Representative to the Administrative Council.

2. The members of the Administrative Council may, subject to the provisions of its Rules of Procedure, be assisted by advisers or experts.

Article 27 Chairmanship

1. The Administrative Council shall elect a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman from among the Representatives and alternate Representatives of the Contracting States. The Deputy Chairman shall ex officio replace the Chairman in the event of his being prevented from attending to his duties.

2. The terms of office of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman shall be three years. They may be re-elected.

Article 28 Board

1. When there are at least eight Contracting States, the Administrative Council may set up a Board composed of five of its members.

2. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Administrative Council shall be members of the Board ex officio; the other three members shall be elected by the Administrative Council.

3. The term of office of the members elected by the Administrative Council shall be three years. They may not be re-elected.

4. The Board shall perform the duties assigned to it by the Administrative Council in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

Article 29 Meetings

1. Meetings of the Administrative Council shall be convened by its Chairman.

2. The President of the European Patent Office shall take part in the deliberations of the Administrative Council.

3. The Administrative Council shall hold an ordinary meeting once each year. In addition, it shall meet on the initiative of its Chairman or at the request of one-third of the Contracting States.

4. The deliberations of the Administrative Council shall be based on an agenda, and shall be held in accordance with its Rules of Procedure.

5. The provisional agenda shall contain any question whose inclusion is requested by any Contracting State in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

Article 30

Attendance of observers

1. The World Intellectual Property Organization shall be represented at the meetings of the Administrative Council, in accordance with the provisions of an agreement to be concluded between the European Patent Organisation and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

2. Other intergovernmental organisations entrusted with carrying out international procedures in the field of patents, with which the Organisation has concluded an agreement, shall be represented at the meetings of the Administrative Council, in accordance with any provisions contained in such agreement.

3. Any other intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations carrying out an activity of interest to the Organisation may be invited by the Administrative Council to arrange to be represented at its meetings during any discussion of matters of mutual interest.

Article 31

Languages of the Administrative Council

1. The languages used in the deliberations of the Administrative Council shall be English, French and German.

2. Documents submitted to the Administrative Council, and the minutes of its deliberations, shall be drawn up in the three languages specified in paragraph 1.

Article 32

Staff, premises and equipment

The European Patent Office shall place at the disposal of the Administrative Council, and of any committee established by it, such staff, premises and equipment as may be necessary for the performance of their duties.

Article 33

Competence of the Administrative Council in certain cases

a) the time limits laid down in this Convention;

b) Parts II to VIII and Part X of this Convention, to bring them into line with an international treaty relating to patents or European Community legislation relating to patents;

c) the Implementing Regulations.

2. The Administrative Council shall be competent, in conformity with this Convention, to adopt or amend the following provisions:

a) the Financial Regulations;

b) the Service Regulations for permanent employees and the conditions of employment of other employees of the European Patent Office, the salary scales of the said permanent and other employees, and also the nature and rules for the grant of any supplementary benefits;

c) the Pension Scheme Regulations and any appropriate increases in existing pensions to correspond to increases in salaries;

d) the Rules relating to Fees;

e) its Rules of Procedure.

3. Notwithstanding Article 18, paragraph 2, the Administrative Council shall be competent to decide, in the light of experience, that in certain categories of cases Examining Divisions shall consist of one technical examiner. Such decision may be rescinded.

4. The Administrative Council shall be competent to authorise the President of the European Patent Office to negotiate and, with its approval, to conclude agreements on behalf of the European Patent Organisation with States, with intergovernmental organisations and with documentation centres set up by virtue of agreements with such organisations.

5. The Administrative Council may not take a decision under paragraph 1(b):

– concerning an international treaty, before its entry into force of that treaty;

– concerning European Community legislation, before its entry into force or, where that legislation provides for a period for its implementation, before the expiry of that period.

Article 34 Voting rights

1. The right to vote in the Administrative Council shall be restricted to the Contracting States.

2. Each Contracting State shall have one vote, except where Article 36 applies.

Article 35 Voting rules

1. The Administrative Council shall take its decisions other than those referred to in paragraph 2 and 3, by a simple majority of the Contracting States represented and voting.

2. A majority of three-quarters of the votes of the Contracting States represented and voting shall be required for the decisions which the Administrative Council is empowered to take under Article 7, Article 11, paragraph 1, Article 33, paragraphs 1(a) and (c), and 2 to 4, Article 39, paragraph 1, Article 40, paragraphs 2 and 4, Article 46, Article 134a, Article 149a, paragraph 2, Article 152, Article 153, paragraph 7, Article 166 and Article 172.

3. Unanimity of the Contracting States voting shall be required for the decisions which the Administrative Council is empowered to take under Article 33, paragraph 1(b). The Administrative Council shall take such decisions only if all the Contracting States are represented. A decision taken on the basis of Article 33, paragraph 1(b), shall not take effect if a Contracting State declares, within twelve months of the date of the decision, that it does not wish to be bound by that decision.

4. Abstentions shall not be considered as votes.

Article 36 Weighting of votes

1. In respect of the adoption or amendment of the Rules relating to Fees and, if the financial contribution to be made by the Contracting States would thereby be increased, the adoption of the budget of the Organisation and of any amending or supplementary budget, any Contracting State may require, following a first ballot in which each Contracting State shall have one vote, and whatever the result of this ballot, that a second ballot be taken immediately, in which votes shall be given to the States in accordance with paragraph 2. The decision shall be determined by the result of this second ballot.

2. The number of votes that each Contracting State shall have in the second ballot shall be calculated as follows:

a) the percentage obtained for each Contracting State in respect of the scale for the special financial contributions, pursuant to Article 40, paragraphs 3 and 4, shall be multiplied by the number of Contracting States and divided by five;

b) the number of votes thus given shall be rounded upwards to the next whole number;

c) five additional votes shall be added to this number;

d) nevertheless, no Contracting State shall have more than 30 votes.

Chapter V Financial provisions

Article 37 Budgetary funding

a) by the Organisation's own resources;

b) by payments made by the Contracting States in respect of renewal fees for European patents levied in these States;

c) where necessary, by special financial contributions made by the Contracting States;

d) where appropriate, by the revenue provided for in Article 146;

e) where appropriate, and for tangible assets only, by third-party borrowings secured on land or buildings;

f) where appropriate, by third-party funding for specific projects.

Article 38

The Organisation's own resources

a) all income from fees and other sources and also the reserves of the Organisation;

b) the resources of the Pension Reserve Fund, which shall be treated as a special class of asset of the Organisation, designed to support the Organisation's pension scheme by providing the appropriate reserves.

Article 39

Payments by the Contracting States in respect of renewal fees for European patents

European patent in that State an amount equal to a proportion of that fee, to be fixed by the Administrative Council; the proportion shall not exceed 75 % and shall be the same for all Contracting States. However, if the said proportion corresponds to an amount which is less than a uniform minimum amount fixed by the Administrative Council, the Contracting State shall pay that minimum to the Organisation.

2. Each Contracting State shall communicate to the Organisation such information as the Administrative Council considers to be necessary to determine the amount of these payments.

3. The due dates for these payments shall be determined by the Administrative Council.

4. If a payment is not remitted fully by the due date, the Contracting State shall pay interest from the due date on the amount remaining unpaid.

Article 40

Level of fees and payments – Special financial contributions

1. The amounts of the fees referred to in Article 38 and the proportion referred to in Article 39 shall be fixed at such a level as to ensure that the revenue in respect thereof is sufficient for the budget of the Organisation to be balanced.

2. However, if the Organisation is unable to balance its budget under the conditions laid down in paragraph 1, the Contracting States shall remit to the Organisation special financial contributions, the amount of which shall be determined by the Administrative Council for the accounting period in question.

3. These special financial contributions shall be determined in respect of any Contracting State on the basis of the number of patent applications filed in the last year but one prior to that of entry into force of this Convention, and calculated in the following manner:

a) one half in proportion to the number of patent applications filed in that Contracting State;

b) one half in proportion to the second highest number of patent applications filed in the other Contracting States by natural or legal persons having their residence or principal place of business in that Contracting State.

c) However, the amounts to be contributed by States in which the number of patent applications filed exceeds 25.000 shall then be taken as a whole and a new scale drawn up in proportion to the total number of patent applications filed in these States.

4. Where the scale position of any Contracting State cannot be established in accordance with paragraph 3, the Administrative Council shall, with the consent of that State, decide its scale position.

5. Article 39, paragraphs 3 and 4, shall apply mutatis mutandis to the special financial contributions.

6. The special financial contributions shall be repaid with interest at a rate which shall be the same for all Contracting States. Repayments shall be made in so far as it is possible to provide for this purpose in the budget; the amount thus provided shall be distributed among the Contracting States in accordance with the scale referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4.

7. The special financial contributions remitted in any accounting period shall be repaid in full before any such contributions or parts thereof remitted in any subsequent accounting period are repaid.

Article 41 Advances

1. At the request of the President of the European Patent Office, the Contracting States shall grant advances to the Organisation, on account of their payments and contributions, within the limit of the amount fixed by the Administrative Council. The amount of such advances shall be determined in proportion to the amounts due from the Contracting States for the accounting period in question.

2. Article 39, paragraphs 3 and 4, shall apply mutatis mutandis to the advances.

Article 42 Budget

1. The budget of the Organisation shall be balanced. It shall be drawn up in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles laid down in the Financial Regulations. If necessary, there may be amending or supplementary budgets.

2. The budget shall be drawn up in the unit of account fixed in the Financial Regulations.

Article 43

Authorisation for expenditure

1. The expenditure entered in the budget shall be authorised for the duration of one accounting period, unless the Financial Regulations provide otherwise.

2. In accordance with the Financial Regulations, any appropriations, other than those relating to staff costs, which are unexpended at the end of the accounting period may be carried forward, but not beyond the end of the following accounting period.

3. Appropriations shall be set out under different headings according to type and purpose of the expenditure and subdivided, as far as necessary, in accordance with the Financial Regulations.

Article 44

Appropriations for unforeseeable expenditure

1. The budget of the Organisation may contain appropriations for unforeseeable expenditure.

2. The employment of these appropriations by the Organisation shall be subject to the prior approval of the Administrative Council.

Article 45 Accounting period

The accounting period shall commence on 1 January and end on 31 December.