From 2014, inventions are to be protected uniformly and more cost-effectively across the EU. The aim is to have patents granted centrally by the European Patent Office in future. At present, patents still have to be validated separately in each EU country. This results in costs of around EUR 36,000 per patent, which can be reduced to approximately EUR 6,500 through centralised grant. Patents are to be granted EU-wide validity and protection; the administrative burden will be reduced, making cost savings possible. This patent reform is to be ratified in three stages. It began in 2012, and the first two steps — agreement to participate and signing of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court by the Member States — have already been completed. All that remains is the third and final step: the ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court. The new court can only commence its work once 13 Member States have ratified the Agreement. Source: www.bundesregierung.de
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How much can be saved with the EU Unitary Patent?
Through centralized patent registration via the European Patent Office, costs drop from around EUR 36,000 to roughly EUR 6,500 per patent. This represents a cost reduction of up to 80 percent. The savings result from eliminating the previously required country-specific validations in each EU member state.
Why has filing a patent in the EU been so expensive until now?
Until now, patents had to be validated separately in each EU country. This caused considerable bureaucratic effort, translation costs and administrative fees in every single member state. In total, this resulted in costs of around EUR 36,000 per patent.
What are the steps for implementing the EU patent reform?
The reform is being implemented in three steps: first, the member states' consent to participate; second, the signing of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court; and finally, its ratification. The first two steps have already been completed, while the third step is still pending.
When will the Unified EU Patent Court commence operations?
The Unified Patent Court can only begin its work once 13 EU member states have ratified the relevant agreement. Only then will centralized patent granting with EU-wide validity become operationally effective.
What advantages does the EU Unitary Patent offer for inventors and companies?
With a single application to the European Patent Office, inventors obtain EU-wide protection for their invention. This significantly reduces administrative effort and substantially lowers application costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular benefit from the simplified and more cost-effective patent process.