January 07, 2011
A new system for filing patents in Europe has been implemented at the start of 2011.
The system will enable applicants to make a single application to The European Patent Office for patent protection in up to forty European countries, rather than having to make separate applications for each country. This reflects the European trade mark system, whereby a Community trade mark may be applied for in a singe application covering twenty seven European countries. The process is also simplified in that searches will no longer have to be conducted by the UK Intellectual Property Office and then supplied to the European Patent Office.
The purpose of the reforms is to save businesses time and money in making patent applications as fewer documents will need to be filed, cutting down on agents’ fees and enabling businesses to obtain protection faster. It will also assist in clearing the current backlog in patent applications, which is preventing businesses from being able to market their inventions as quickly as they would like.
Organisations and individuals who invent environmentally friendly products and processes may benefit further from the UK Government’s commitment to fast track such ‘green’ patent applications. The Government’s ‘Green Channel’ service was introduced in 2009 and has resulted on average in environmentally friendly patents being granted in eight months rather than the thirty-two month norm.
