How to get a European patent

213

You are required to pay renewal fees to the EPO in respect of your European patent application. These are due in respect of the third and each subsequent year, calculated from the date of filing.

214

Renewal fees in respect of the coming year are due on the last day of the month in which the anniversary of the date of filing falls. For fee amounts and payment methods see points 121 and 122.

215

Payment may still be validly made up to six months after the due date, provided that an additional fee equal to 50% of the belated renewal fee is paid within the same period. The EPO will normally send you a reminder; you are not, however, entitled to base any claims on the omission of this courtesy service. Renewal fees may not be validly paid more than three months in advance of the date on which they fall due.

216

If you fail to pay the renewal fee and any additional fee in due time, the application is deemed to be withdrawn. Further processing under Article 121 is not available, but you may request re-establishment of rights under Article 122 (see also point 226).

217

The last renewal fee payable in respect of a European patent application covers the patent year in which the mention of the grant of the patent is published (see point 168 ff).

218

Renewal fees for subsequent years during the term of the European patent (see point 5, last paragraph) are payable to the central industrial property offices of the designated states. For more details refer to "National law relating to the EPC" (see point 4).