London Agreement: Major Reduction in European Patent Costs on track for 2008 |
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Last week a bill was passed by the French Senate so that France can now, finally, ratify the London Agreement. It is now expected that the London Agreement will enter into force around Europe in 2008 - perhaps as early as April. We are pleased to report to our clients and professional colleagues that this should lead to a major reduction in European patent costs. The European Patent Office provides the main route for obtaining patent protection in Europe for most of our clients. A major part of the costs of obtaining European patents are the "validation costs" incurred when translating the full patent specification into local languages at the time of grant and then filing the translations in national patent offices. We have reported recently on progress towards reducing the translation burden on applicants for European patents and, in particular, the developments in France in relation to implementing the so called “London Agreement” which will significantly reduce that translation burden around Europe. Implementation of the London Agreement is likely to have several consequences in Europe and we will be advising clients on the practical effects in the coming months. At present we can say that in relation to European cases that we prosecute in English, European validation costs are likely to be significantly reduced in at least Germany, France, Iceland, Latvia, Monaco, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Switzerland/Liechtenstein. The list of such countries is likely to increase as more countries sign up to the London Agreement. As a result of the reduction in translation costs, it is likely that patent applicants will be able to reduce their European patent costs. Some clients may now choose to validate European patents in more countries for the same budget as now. Finally, as a translation of the full patent specification into a local language will only be required in the event of an infringement situation, a translation can be produced with the infringement in mind. For specific comment on the consequences of the London Agreement please contact your usual Withers & Rogers patent attorney. John Dean |
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