The due dates for renewal fees for Unitary Patents are in line with the system in place for European patent applications under Rule 51(1) EPC. A renewal fee for a Unitary Patent in respect of the coming year will be due on the last day of the month containing the anniversary of the date of filing of the European patent application which led to the Unitary Patent. Renewal fees cannot be validly paid more than three months before they fall due (Rule 13(2) UPR). The payment periods are calculated in accordance with Rule 20(2)(g) UPR in conjunction with Rules 131 and 134 EPC. Therefore, if the due date is a day on which the EPO cannot receive mail within the meaning of Rule 134(1) EPC, the due date will not change. Instead, the last day for the payment to be validly performed will be deferred to the first day on which all filing offices are open for receipt of documents and on which mail is delivered.
