EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION
Cyprus accedes to the European Patent Convention
1. Accession to the EPC
The Government of the Republic of Cyprus (CY) deposited the instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 14 January 1998. The EPC accordingly enters into force for Cyprus on 1 April 1998.
The European Patent Organisation will thus comprise the following 19 member states as from 1 April 1998: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Further information concerning the effects of this accession and the Cypriot provisions for the implementation of the EPC will be published in a later issue of the Official Journal.
2. Important information
European patent applications filed on or after 1 April 19981 will include the designation of Cyprus.
In order to allow the designation of Cyprus, the EPO will also accord European patent applications filed during March 1998 the filing date of 1 April 1998, if the applicant expressly requests that filing date when filing the application.
3. PCT
Cyprus also deposited its instrument of accession to the PCT on 1 January 1998 and consequently the PCT will enter into force for Cyprus on 1 April 1998. Cypriot nationals and persons having their principal place of business or residence in Cyprus will thus be entitled, as from 1 April 1998, to file international applications with the Office of the Registrar in Cyprus, the European Patent Office or the International Bureau as receiving Office.
Futhermore, Cyprus may be designated in international applications filed on or after 1 April 1998. The designation of Cyprus has the effect of an indication of the wish to obtain a European patent for Cyprus under the European Patent Convention (Article 45(2) PCT)2. A national (Cypriot) patent cannot be obtained through an international application.
4. Fees
By decision of the President of the EPO equivalents of the EPO's fees, costs and prices will be laid down in Cypriot Pounds with effect from 1 April 1998. This decision and the full schedule of fees will be published as a supplement to Official Journal 3/98.
The number of the EPO's bank account in Cyprus was not known at the time of going to press.
1 The current Request for Grant form (EPA/EPO/OEB Form 1001 07.97, OJ EPO 1997, 251) remains valid and a revised version is not envisaged for the present.
2 Crossing the "EP" box in the PCT request (Form PCT/RO/101 - January 1998) automatically includes this provision.