EPO Introduces Automated Real-Time Captions for VICO Oral Proceedings
Summary
The European Patent Office has introduced optional automated real-time captions for oral proceedings held by video conference (VICO) in Zoom, effective 15 April 2026. Parties in opposition proceedings may request captions to support participants with hearing impairments; activation is automatic once requested and available in the language of proceedings or translated into other EPO official languages. The EPO disclaims accuracy guarantees for machine-generated captions and reserves the right to deactivate the feature if it interferes with proceedings.
What changed
The EPO has added an optional automated live captioning feature for video conference oral proceedings (VICO) in Zoom. Parties in opposition proceedings may request captions before the final date under Rule 116 EPC; once enabled, participants activate captions directly in Zoom in the language of proceedings or translated into other EPO official languages. All participants must set their spoken language in Zoom for accurate transcription.
Affected parties—including patent opponents, representatives, and applicants—gain a new accessibility option but should not rely on captions as a substitute for accurate transcription or interpretation. The EPO explicitly disclaims accuracy guarantees and liability for technical limitations or downtime, and reserves discretion to deactivate captions if they impede proceedings efficiency.
What to do next
- Monitor EPO announcements for further information on the captioning feature
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News
EPO introduces automated live captions in oral proceedings by VICO
15.04.2026
Parties in opposition proceedings can now request automated real-time captions for oral proceedings in Zoom to support users with hearing impairments.
The European Patent Office (EPO) is introducing automated real-time captions for oral proceedings by video conference (VICOs) to support equitable access for parties with hearing impairments. This measure reflects the EPO's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in its digital services and aligns with its broader digitalisation goals of developing a dependable, agile and adaptable IT landscape that evolves in response to user needs.
Real-time captions now available on request
To support parties who rely on real-time textual support, the EPO can now enable automated captions in opposition proceedings. This feature is activated on request by the parties and provides live subtitles generated through speech-recognition technology during VICO sessions on Zoom. While parties are not required to provide medical evidence of a hearing impairment, requests must be submitted in advance, ideally before the final date set under Rule 116 EPC. For technical reasons, requests submitted shortly before or during oral proceedings generally cannot be granted.
How it works
Once captions are enabled, parties can activate them directly in Zoom, choosing to display them in the language of the proceedings or to have them automatically translated into one of the EPO’s other official languages. To ensure accurate processing, all participants must first set the language in which they will speak in Zoom. Captions are generated from the audio of the participants, not from interpretation channels. Requests for this feature are handled confidentially and stored in the non-public part of the file.
Responsible use of the feature
As automated captions rely on machine-generated transcription, the EPO cannot guarantee accuracy, and no rights may be derived from any technical limitations or periods of unavailability. The division may deactivate captions if they interfere with the efficient conduct of proceedings. Captions are intended solely to support participation during the oral proceedings and must not be saved or shared with third parties.
Further information
FAQ on automated captions in opposition oral proceedings via Zoom FAQ on oral proceedings held by videoconference Rule 116 EPC SACEPO Working Party on Rules reviews digitalisation, legal changes and accessibility measures European Accessibility Act Strategic Plan 2028
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Further improvements and new features as of today, with more to come in the weeks ahead
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