Pages 90-91

New national fee rates in euros

Slovakia has introduced the euro as its sole currency as from 1 January 20091, and the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic (IPO SR) recently informed us of its new patent fees in that currency.

Applicants for and proprietors of European patents with effect in Slovakia are therefore advised that from 1 January 2009 the following rates apply:

1. Publication and making available the translation of the claims or amended translation of the claims to the public: EUR 6.50

2. Publication and making available the translation or amended translation of the European patent

(a) within the prescribed time limit: EUR 116

(b) within the additional period: EUR 232

Fee for correction: EUR 116

3. Renewal fees:

4. Conversion of European patent applications or patents into national patent applications or patents:

(a) If the request for conversion of a European patent application to a national patent application is filed with the IPO SR in accordance with Article 135(2) EPC the applicant is obliged to pay a fee of EUR 19.50 for each (designated) state.

(b) If the request for conversion of a European patent application to a national patent application is filed with the European Patent Office in accordance with Article 135(3) EPC and transmitted to the IPO SR, the applicant is obliged

(i) to pay a fee of EUR 19.50 (if the request is filed by an inventor or co-inventors) or EUR 53 (if the request is filed by a person other than an inventor or co-inventors);

(ii) to file a translation of the European patent application into Slovak language.

5. Registering transfers, licences and other rights:

EUR 26.50 per application for the transfer of a right

EUR 16.50 per application for a licence

EUR 6.50 per application for a legal pledge

EPO information brochure "National law relating to the EPC"

Users of this brochure (13th edition) should amend Tables III.B, column 2, IV, columns 3 and 10, VI, column 1, VII, column 2, and IX, column 4, accordingly.