Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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Here you can find the most commonly requested information about the EPO and our services.

Patents and IP basics

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Answers to questions such as: What are patents for? What other forms of intellectual property (IP) are there? How can you find out if your invention is new?

Applying for a patent

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Answers to questions about the process of filing for a patent, related fees and costs and the lifecycle of patent applications:

Procedure and law

Law books

Answers to questions about patent procedures – including recent changes to them – and legal topics such as the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court, divided into the following categories:

Online services

Patent searching

Learning and events

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Answers to questions on the European qualifying examination (EQE) and the IP Teaching Kit:

About the EPO

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Answers to questions about the following aspects of the EPO and our activities:

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