2009.04.03 Modification of the fees
Introduction
On 1 April 2009, a substantial restructuring of the fees collected within the procedure of obtaining a European patent entered into force. The restructuring concerns essentially the following points :
1. Introduction of a two-tier system of claims fees
2. Introduction of a fee per page
3. Modification of the designation fees
4. Modification of the fee for grant
5. Period for advance payment of renewal fees
1. Two-tier system of claims fees
The following amounts apply for claims fees:
- for each claim from the 16th to the 50th : EUR 200
- for the 51st and each subsequent claim : EUR 500
2. Additional fee per page in excess of thirty-five
The new filing fee is composed of a "basic" fee and an additional fee of EUR 12 per page for the 36th and each subsequent page of the application.
3. Flat designation fee
A flat designation fee of EUR 500 covers the designation of all contracting states, unless individual designations are expressly withdrawn.
4. Fee for grant
With the introduction of the additional fee a page fee ceases to be payable at the grant stage. Therefore for these applications a flat fee for grant and publication applies.
5. Three-month period for advance payment of renewal fees
The renewal fees for European patent applications can be validly paid up to three month before their due date, and not one year as previously.
Commencement; transitional arrangements
Those aspects of the new fee structure described under points 1 to 4 above apply to European patent applications filed on or after 1 April 2009 and to international applications entering the regional phase on or after that date.
The reduction in the period for advance payment of European renewal fees applies to all applications from 1 April 2009.
