EPO News

Munich, September 8, 2025 – The European Patent Office (EPO) is modernizing its procedures and, as of October 1, 2025, will allow color and grayscale drawings in patent applications. Previously, submitted color drawings were converted into black and white internally; in the future, applicants will be able to file their technical drawings in color via the electronic filing portals without them being converted during further proceedings. This change is part of the EPO’s digital strategy and is in response to a long-standing request from the user community. However, this does not yet cover the international filing route via the PCT procedure, where only black-and-white drawings remain permissible. The option to submit color graphics is intended to make the examination and publication process more efficient, as color drawings can illustrate technical details better in certain cases.