European Union Patent Application

European Patents Under the European Patent Convention (EPC)

A European patent is an intellectual property protection granted through the European Patent Office (EPO). The patent protects inventions legally in European countries through a single filing. The EPO reviews applications to determine whether the invention is novel, industrially applicable, and sufficiently advanced relative to the existing state of the art. If the European patent application is granted, the owner holds 20 years of protection in the relevant European countries.

Filing a European patent application with the European Patent Office produces validity across many European countries through a single process. This approach provides patent protection in European countries in less time and at a lower cost.

Where to File a European Patent Application

The European patent application process is a sequence that inventors or their appointed agents must follow. Before filing, the first step is a pre-filing search to determine whether your invention is genuinely new and novel. The process can be detailed for the patent owner. Fill out documents carefully, and engage a patent agent if needed.

How to File a European Patent Application

• Preparation: Before filing, you can run a pre-filing search to determine whether your invention is genuinely new and novel.
• Filing: The application typically includes a description, claims, drawings (where required), and an abstract. All of these documents must follow a specific format.
• Search report: After filing, the European Patent Office (EPO) prepares a search report to check whether your invention is new and novel.
• Publication: 18 months after the search report is completed, or earlier on request, your application and the search report are published.
• Examination: After your application is published, you need to request grant from the EPO. Your application undergoes a detailed examination at this stage.
• Grant: If the examination passes, the EPO grants you a European patent. This patent is not automatically valid in all EPC member states, however.
• Entry into the national phase: Once your patent is granted, you need to enter the national phase in each country where you want protection, within a specific period (generally 3 months from the grant date).
• Renewal fees: You will need to pay renewal fees on your European patent on a regular basis.