'Opposition proceedings and appeal proceedings in opposition cases are quite different from prosecuting an application at least in two respects: Proceedings involving numerous procedural aspects are contentious and in many cases, there is already a conflict on the market increasing the commercial interest in the case. Proceedings Before the European Patent Office: A Practical Guide to Success in Opposition and Appeal keeps the promise made in its title and helps the practitioner to avoid procedural pitfalls. The authors come from different backgrounds and the book profits from their different perspectives. Marcus O. Müller is a member of the Boards of Appeal whereas Cees A.M. Mulder is a European Patent Attorney and both have profound experience in teaching the EPC. Two features of the Guide deserve to be highlighted.

First, the emphasis on the interrelations between the different stages from drafting the application until the oral proceedings in opposition appeal proceedings with the conclusion that failures and omissions at an early stage can possibly not be repaired later on. Second, the numerous examples mostly on the basis of the relevant case law and the practical advices complementing the explanation of the procedural problems arising at different stages of opposition and appeal proceedings. In this way, the Guide illustrates the rules of the game before opposition divisions and boards of appeal, and may help the users to avoid unpleasant and dangerous surprises.'.