The European Patent Office increases the fees significantly
Two sets of large fee increases for European patents have been approved by the Administrative council of the European Patent Office. These fee increases will come into effect in April 2008 and April 2009. The changes increase the costs for filing European patent applications with large numbers of claims and more than 35 pages.
On 1 April 2008, the fee for each claim more than 15 will be € 200. From 1 April 2009, the fee for each claim more than 50 will be € 500.
Under the existing fee rules, a fee of € 45 must be paid for each claim more than 10.
Another change is a new fee of € 12 per page more than 35 of a patent application.
Finally, the annuity fees are increased and the penalty fee for late payment of an annuity fee is increased from 10% to 50% of the fee. The late payment of an annuity fee with penalty fee remains possible up to 6 month after the fee was due.
We recommend…
After the filing of a European patent application (a direct European patent application, a divisional or a EuroPCT) we advice that the claims are reviewed and the amount is reduced before the claim fees fall due. Hereby, basis in the originally disclosure is ensured for all the combinations when needed later on in the proceedings.
We would be happy to assist you in obtaining a cost-effective and efficient European patent protection.
(Published 10.03.2008)
