Today we are going to uncover a mysterious aspect of intellectual property – European patent annual fees! In the journey of obtaining a European patent, annual fees are an unavoidable hurdle, but as long as you grasp this “cheat sheet”, maintaining a patent isn’t so complex!
For European applications, annual fees must be paid before authorization! However, after the application is granted, European annual fees are no longer required. Instead, you’ll need to pay the respective national fees in the effective countries of Europe.
Now, here comes what everyone is most concerned about – the amount to be paid annually. Here’s a small reminder: adjustments by the European Patent Office may occur at any time, so the amounts provided here are for reference only. For specifics, it’s best to check the official website of the European Patent Office.
The key information for this journey of annual fees is listed below. Let’s take a look together!
Overview of Payment Amounts
Let’s first take a look at the annual fees for European patents. Here’s a table for easy reference:
| Year | 缴费金额 | 美元对应 |
| 3rd Year | 490 € | Approximately $578 |
| 4th Year | 610 € | Approximately $720 |
| 5th Year | 855 € | Approximately $1,008 |
| 6th Year | 1,090 € | Approximately $1,285 |
| 7th Year | 1,210 € | Approximately $1,428 |
| 8th Year | 1,330 € | Approximately $1,568 |
| 9th Year | 1,450 € | Approximately $1,710 |
| 10-20年 | 1,640 € | Approximately $1,933 |
Payment Time and Methods
After sorting out the amount, it’s time to talk about the payment time. If you land in Europe through the PCT route, remember, the annual fee starts from the third year from the PCT filing date (including the PCT filing date itself). Every year, the European Patent Office (EPO) is waiting for your payment! After authorization, the annual fee must be paid to the member states where the European patent is effective. The rules are different in each country, so you need to see how each country plays.
Practical Operation Suggestions
In practice, our company generally pays the third-year annual fee when landing in Europe through the PCT application. The subsequent annual fees must be settled on the anniversary date of the PCT filing, but don’t worry, you can extend it to the end of the month, so there’s no need to rush! For example, if the PCT filing date is December 12, 2018, the deadline for the fourth-year annual fee is December 31, 2021.
If entering Europe through the Paris Convention route, the annual fee is calculated from the application date of entry into Europe.
Notes on Overdue Payments
Oh dear, if you miss the deadline, don’t panic! You have a six-month “grace period” to make up for it, but be aware that you’ll have to pay a late fee, which is 50% of the annual fee for that year!
Conclusion
Overall, the European patent annual fee is a marathon, but as long as you understand the amount and timing, you can definitely win the game! Don’t forget to check the official website of the European Patent Office for the latest information to take your intellectual property career further and higher!