PCT NEWSLETTER

Eligibility for Reductions in Certain PCT Fees

The lists of States discussed below, the nationals and/or residents of which are eligible for certain PCT fee reductions, have been updated with effect from 1 July 2024.

Applicability of 75% reduction in certain fees at the European Patent Office (EPO)

It is recalled that the fees for international search, supplementary international search and international preliminary examination are reduced by 75% if the international application, the request for supplementary international search or the demand for international preliminary examination is filed:

1. by a natural person who is a national of and resident in a state which is not a Contracting State of the European Patent Convention, and which on the date of filing of the application, or of payment of the supplementary international search or the international preliminary examination fee, is classified by the World Bank as a low-income or lower-middle-income economy; or
2. by a natural or legal person who is a national of and resident in a State in which a validation agreement with the EPO is in force.¹

Algeria, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Mongolia and Ukraine have been removed from the list of States which fall under item 1. For detailed lists, consult:

https://link.epo.org/web/low_income_states_en.pdf

Applicability of 75% reduction in certain fees at the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office

It is recalled that the search fee and preliminary examination fee payable to the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office are reduced by 75% if the applicant, or if there are two or more applicants, each applicant, is a natural person or a legal entity and is a national of and resides in a State not party to the European Patent Convention, and which is classified by the World Bank in the group of countries of “low-income”, “lower-middle-income” or “upper-middle-income”.

Palau and the Russian Federation, which have now been classified by the World Bank in the group of countries of “high income”, have been removed from the list of States whose nationals and residents may be eligible for this fee reduction.

1. For further information, please refer to the Official Journal of the EPO, July 2024 at: https://www.epo.org/en/legal/official-journal/2024/07/a69.html