Patents
Upcoming change to search fee on international patent applications entering the regional phase in Europe
February 20, 2018
Following a decision of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Office (EPO), it has been decided that the reduction of 190€ for the search fee for the supplementary European search where the international search report was drawn up by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Japanese Patent Office, the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the Chinese Intellectual Property Office, the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Russian Federation) and the Australian Patent Office is to be stopped.
The decision will enter into force on 1 April 2018. The reduction in search fee of €190 will no longer be available after this date. Therefore if you have an international patent application and wish to enter the regional phase in Europe, you may wish to do this before 1 April 2018 whilst the reduction of the search fee is still available.
Our team of patent attorneys at Swindell & Pearson would be happy to assist you with this matter or with any questions you have regarding this change at the EPO.
Swindell & Pearson is a UK based firm of patent and trade mark attorneys that has been helping businesses and individuals protect and defend their ideas, innovations and brands for over 135 years. Based in the East Midlands, the firm has offices in Derby, Stoke, Wolverhampton and Stafford as well as in Sheffield. To find out how Swindell & Pearson can help you and your business with any intellectual property requirements please get in touch via [email protected] or by telephone on 01332 367 051.