First, apply for a patent.
Apply to the European Patent Office for a patent. The language is (English, French, German). The contents of the patent application documents are consistent with those of China patent application documents, including: description, claims, abstract and abstract drawings. If an application is filed through the Paris Convention, it shall be filed in Europe within 12 months from the date of application in China, and China shall be required to give priority and submit documents proving the priority.
Second, the European Patent Office search
The European Patent Office usually searches the existing technical documents related to the patentability of the application, and informs the European patent agent of the search results after the search. When the patent applicant receives this retrieval report, it is usually necessary to evaluate the patentability and authorization of the invention according to the retrieval content.
Three. Announcement of patent application
The European Patent Office will publish the patent application results within 18 months from the date of application, and publish the search report on the offline website before publication, so that the applicant can choose whether to continue the application.
Frequently asked questions: patent application process and cost:
Four. Request for substantive examination
The applicant shall file an application for substantive examination within 6 months from the date of application or the date of publication of the retrieval report of the European Patent Office. At the same time, determine the specific member countries and pay a fixed membership fee and examination fee. After submitting the substantive examination, it enters the substantive examination procedure, and usually receives the examination opinions from the European Patent Office within 1 to 3 years after submitting the substantive examination.
Verb (abbreviation of verb) European patent authorization
After approval, the European Patent Office will issue an authorization notice. The applicant chooses to agree to the authorization document and is allowed to enter the authorization stage. Or modify the text and claims.
Six, the patent takes effect
In general, after receiving the authorization notice, the applicant must select the country where the patent takes effect from the list of determined countries, and notify the European Patent Office to select the country where the patent takes effect. According to the regulations of various countries, all the contents of this patent need to be translated into the language of the country where the patent takes effect and submitted to that country.
Matters needing attention
Generally speaking, European member States require that the translation of the authorization statement be completed within three months after its release and take effect in all countries.
That's what Intellectual Property introduced to you about the European patent application process. Related issues. If you have any other questions, please feel free to log in to Intellectual Property for consultation and understanding.
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