Article 43

EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANISATION

Montenegro accedes to the London Agreement

On 9 April 2025, Montenegro deposited its instrument of accession to the Agreement of 17 October 2000 on the application of Article 65 EPC ("London Agreement", see OJ EPO 2001, 549 and 550-553). Under its Article 6(2), the agreement thus enters into force for Montenegro as 23rd contracting state on 1 August 2025.

For European patents granted with effect for Montenegro on or after 1 August 2025, no Montenegrin language translation of the European patent specification need be supplied if the patent is granted in English or if an English translation of the patent is supplied in accordance with Article 65(1) EPC; but a Montenegrin language translation of the claims must always be supplied.

The new rules do not apply to European patents amended in opposition, appeal or limitation proceedings which were granted before 1 August 2025 and amended on or after that date.

Further information on the London Agreement may be obtained from the EPO website (www.epo.org).