With immediate effect starting on July 1, 2017 the EPO will adapt the practice concerning plants and animals obtained by an essentially biological process to the intention underlying Art. 53(b) EPC. From this date on no patent will be granted for plant (part)s, fruits or animals wich are descendants of transgenically engineered organisms, obtained themselves by an essentially biological process (by crossing or breeding).
Patent applications still pending as well as opposition procedures will be treated accordingly.
(Dr. Barbara Engels)