Patent Information on EPO validation states

The EPO offers an extension of patent protection through its validation system. Beyond the 39 European Patent Convention (EPC) contracting states, applicants can extend the effect of a European patent to selected non‑EPC countries by requesting validation. This option enhances territorial coverage while keeping procedures relatively simple and cost‑effective. 

What are EPO validation states? 

Validation states are non-EPC countries that have signed bilateral agreements with the EPO, allowing European patents to take legal effect in their jurisdictions upon request by the applicant. As of September 2025, the active validation states are: 

• Morocco (MA) – in force since 1 March 2015 

• Republic of Moldova (MD) – in force since 1 November 2015 

• Tunisia (TN) – in force since 1 December 2017 

• Cambodia (KH) – in force since 1 March 2018 

• Georgia (GE) – in force since 15 January 2024 

• Laos (LA) – signed 1 April 2025 

Validation is available for both Euro‑direct and Euro‑PCT applications filed on or after the relevant agreement entered into force. The request becomes effective once the applicant pays the validation fee within the same time limits as the designation fee. 

Patent information flow for validated patents 

Patent information for validated European patents is distributed between the EPO and national patent offices. At the application stage, documents remain under the EP number and are accessible via the EPO’s databases (e.g., Espacenet, EP Register). After grant and validation, national offices assign local publication numbers and manage post‑grant data such as renewals, assignments, or lapses.  

Post‑grant requirements and legal status 

To make validation effective, patent owners must complete certain post‑grant formalities in each state, typically: 

• Filing a translation of the patent specification or claims into the local language 

• Paying a national publication fee 

Once these formalities are satisfied, the validated European patent has the same effect as a national patent in that state. Enforcement, annuities and other post-grant updates such as assignment changes are handled locally by their respective offices. 

Legal status information is best accessed through a combination of sources: 

• Espacenet – “also published as” and Legal events tab 

• EP Register – Federated Register tab: Links to national registers for validation states. 

• National patent registers: e.g., OMPIC (Morocco), INNORPI (Tunisia), AGEPI (Moldova), Cambodia DIP. 

Example: EP3853387 

European patent application EP3853387, filed in 2019, falls after the entry into force of four validation agreements. It was thus eligible for validation in Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia and Cambodia if the applicant paid the corresponding fees.  

Several options are available to confirm whether and where it was validated: 

1. Check Espacenet for EP 3853387 – go to tab “Legal events” 

Image 1: Espacenet – Legal events tab: Request for validation in MA becomes effective through payment of the respective fees 

 

Image 2: Espacenet – Legal events tab: Validation of EP patent in Morocco, granted and published B1. Searches in local databases possible with Moroccan number.  
 

2. Check the Federated Register for EP3853387 at the EPO 
    

Image 3: EP Federated Register tab within the European Patent Register: At the very bottom there is a direct link to OMPIC