Way open for reduction in European patent costs

Currently, at the grant stage of a European patent application, translations of the full specification have to be filed in most European Patent Convention contracting states.

The cost of the grant stage of European patent applications is a common concern for industry. The so-called "London Agreement", which provides that patents granted in French, German or English would no longer need to be translated, was signed in 2000 by Denmark, France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. However, in order for this new regime to become effective, the Agreement has to be ratified by at least eight countries, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom. For several years, France has been reluctant to ratify the agreement, for various reasons. A recently issued decision from a French constitutional council, indicating that there is no constitutional objection to France ratifying the agreement, should now pave the way for French ratification and to the London agreement to come into effect.

We will, of course, continue to monitor European grant stage costs for our clients.

October 2006