What does a German patent application at the DPMA cost – and which official patent fees accrue over the maximum term of 20 years from the filing date? This article explains the official DPMA fees (excluding attorney fees), including annual renewal fees from the 3rd to the 20th year of protection.
Costs of a German Patent Application – Official Fees Over the Full 20-Year Term read more
Our clients frequently receive payment requests from purported offices or service providers regarding their intellectual property rights. These letters are often designed to look like official government correspondence, giving the impression that an immediate response is required. Symbols such as a "Federal Eagle," a European "Blue with Stars" sign, or similar emblems are often used in these letters to falsely convey the legitimacy of an official authority.
WARNING of payment requests read more
Romania will join the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) on September 1, 2024. The country deposited its instrument of ratification on May 31, 2024, becoming the 18th member state to join the UPCA.
Romania joins the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) read more
The European Patent Office (EPO) has made a significant change to its fee system, which came into force on 1 April 2024. The aim of this change is to make the European patent system more accessible to small applicants and to support their development and growth.
European Patent Office: Simplified fee system from April 2024 read more
From 1 April 2024, a new Rules relating to Fees will apply at the European Patent Office. The amount for a large number of fees will be increased.
Until 31 May 2023, German law prohibited double protection (referred to as “prohibition on double protection”) for national patents and European patents. Accordingly, it was not possible to obtain protection under a national patent for an invention in respect of which a European patent with the same priority and the same scope had been granted to the same inventor with effect in the Federal Republic of Germany. The national patent became ineffective if the inventor had been granted a European patent for the same invention that could not be revoked in opposition proceedings any more.
AMENDMENT TO THE PROHIBITION ON DOUBLE PROTECTION read more
