See also

Before you apply, we recommend you do a patent search to check that your invention is really new.

Searching for patents

Search for a patent attorney in the database of professional representatives.

Related documents

European patents and the grant procedure

Poster: The grant procedure (110 KB)

 

European route

European route (JPG)

European patents are granted for some or all of the contracting states to the European Patent Convention (EPC). They can also be extended to the current extension states.

Guide for applicants I

Advice for inventors and companies interested in filing a patent application with the EPO.

Filing options

Opposition

Opponents have up to nine months after grant in which they can challenge a European patent by filing an opposition with the EPO.

National validation

A European Patent is a bundle of national ones. Some member states require you to provide a translation of the granted patent in their language for validation purposes.

Appeals

Decisions taken by the Receiving Section, examining and opposition divisions or the Legal Division are appealable. Appeals are decided by independent boards of appeal.

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