Unitary Patent or national validation? The new free renewal fee calculator eproute.com shows for any European patent which route is cheaper: enter the EP number, select the countries, see the renewal fees per year and per country.
eproute.com: Unitary Patent or national validation – which is cheaper? read more
196 million counterfeit articles worth EUR 6.3 billion: EU authorities report record seizures for 2025. But customs only act on request – and that requires an IP right that can be proven. What was seized, how the customs application works and what happens after a detention.
Record counterfeit seizures in the EU: without an IP right, customs cannot act for you read more
What official fees apply to an EU trade mark? An overview of EUIPO application fees, additional classes and renewal costs, with a chart illustrating how fees accumulate over time.
EU Trade Mark: What Official Fees Does the EUIPO Charge? read more
The EPO has revised its PACE programme: since 1 October 2026, requests for accelerated examination can be filed in MyEPO individually or as a bulk request for several applications. What PACE delivers, when acceleration ends and what applicants should bear in mind.
PACE: speeding up EP examination (revised programme from 1 October 2026) read more
From 1 April 2027, the European Patent Office will move to electronic filing and notification as a general rule. We explain what changes for patent applicants and proprietors, which exceptions apply, and what to consider when using MyEPO Mailbox and monitoring deadlines.
EPO Goes Digital from 1 April 2027: What Changes for Patent Applicants read more
Seit dem 1. Juli 2026 gilt die zweite Stufe der EU-Designreform. Ein EU-Design lässt sich jetzt auch als 3D-Modell oder Video anmelden, bei Bildern sind zehn statt sieben Ansichten erlaubt, und kleinere Fehler in der Darstellung können nachträglich korrigiert werden. Was Anmelder jetzt wissen sollten.
EU design reform 2026: what has changed for applications since 1 July read more
In 2026 we celebrate our 75th anniversary. From the founding in Düsseldorf in 1951 and the move to Velbert-Langenberg through to today's team – a look back at four generations in intellectual property.
75 years of WMW: four generations of patent attorneys since 1951 read more
Euro-PCT: What to bear in mind when entering the European regional phase before the EPO with a PCT application – 31-month time limit, required steps and the current official fees at a glance.
An NDA protects confidential information, but it does not replace a patent or utility model. Anyone providing design documents to a supplier in Asia should therefore secure a filing date first – and only then disclose drawings and technical details.
File first, then manufacture: Why an NDA is not enough before manufacturing in Asia read more
The vouchers for trade marks, designs and IP Scan have run out for 2026 – the EUIPO SME Fund patent voucher has not. Up to EUR 3,500 in reimbursement is available, for national as well as European patent applications. What matters is the order: apply first, file second.
EUIPO SME Fund 2026: Patent Voucher Still Available read more
