How do I request these fee reductions?
These fee reductions may be requested by selecting the corresponding checkbox in the usual EPO forms.
In more detail:
Forms to be used
- To request language-related reductions for a new European patent application, select box 14.1 in the request form (Form 1001) which is integrated into the EPO’s online filing tools
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:.
To request language-related reductions for an European patent application still pending at the EPO for which you have not yet paid the filing or examination fee, use stand-alone Form 1011 and select the first box:
Form 1011 can be filed online as an attachment to Form 1038.
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:
To request language-related reductions for an international application entering the European phase, select the fourth box under the heading “1. Applicant” in the request for entry into the European phase (Form 1200) as integrated into the EPO’s filing tools:
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:
Please file a separate request for each patent application. - To request micro-entity fee reductions for a new European patent application, tick box 14.2 in the request form (Form 1001) which is integrated into the EPO’s online filing tools:
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:
To request micro-entity fee reduction for an already filed European patent application still pending with the EPO use stand-alone Form 1011 and select the second box:
Form 1011 can be filed online as an attachment to Form 1038.
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:
To request micro-entity fee reductions for an international application entering the European phase, select the fifth box under the heading “1. Applicant” in the request for entry into the European phase (Form 1200):
A pre-view of the filing tool OLF 2.0 user interface:
Please file a separate request for each patent application.
Further guidance how to use the forms
In order to benefit from a language related reduction and/or a micro-entity reduction, you must request the reduction for the application concerned at the latest by the time you pay the reduced fee.
Where an application has been transferred,
- the new owner (if eligible) would need to request the reduction for that application
- it is up to the old owner to request any reductions available for applications that no longer exceed the cap (the EPO will not automatically check old requests again to establish whether the cap condition is now fulfilled)
Requests for micro-entity fee reductions are deemed valid for the lifetime of the application unless you retract the request or transfer the application.
If you do not request fee reductions for a particular application, this will not have any effect on other applications you have filed. The EPO will assume that the micro-entity status is still unchanged for those other applications.
The forms for filing (Form 1001) and for entry into European phase (Form 1200) include checkboxes for declaring status as a micro or small entity and a text field where the language-related fee reduction can be requested.
In addition, there is a stand-alone form (From 1011) that you can use at any time. You can file it as an attachment to Form 1038 (“Letter accompanying subsequently filed items”) in the EPO online tools.
All these EPO forms are available as of 1 April 2024
What if I am not eligible anymore
If you have benefitted from fee reductions as a micro-entity, but cease to have micro-entity status, you need to inform the EPO in a declaration indicating all applications concerned.
Please note that it is not sufficient just to pay the full amount of a fee.