Validation of European Patents in Moldova

Following the validation agreement with Morocco earlier this year, the European Patent Office (EPO) has reached a similar agreement with the Republic of Moldova, allowing European patents to take legal effect in Moldova from 1st November 2015. The number of countries in which it is possible to obtain simultaneous protection with a single European patent application has therefore risen to 42, including the 38 member states, the two extension states Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and the two validation states Morocco and Moldova.

If you are looking to gain IP protection in Moldova through a European application, here are four facts to bear in mind:

1.Validation in Moldova is only available to European patents following from applications filed after 1st November 2015.

2.Validation in Moldova is deemed requested for any application filed on or after 1st November 2015.

3.Payment of a validation fee of EUR 200 is required within six months from the date on which the European Patent Bulletin mentions the publication of the European search report (or for a Euro-PCT application, within the period for performing the acts required for an international application's entry into the European phase).

4.Validation fees can be paid within a two month grace period after the initial time period expires, provided that a surcharge of 50% is also paid within this period. If the validation fee is not paid in due time, the request for validation is deemed withdrawn.

Please look out for further details about validating European patent applications and patents in the Republic of Moldova, for example regarding translation requirements, which should be shortly forthcoming.

If you have any questions about the article or to find out more about how we can help you with your intellectual property requirements please get in touch with your usual contact at Swindell & Pearson or with Robert Lambton at [email protected]. Robert is a patent advisor based at our Derby office.