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European Patent Convention

Back Host Institution European Patent Organisation (EPO) Members Contracting Parties/Signatories
 Additional Notes
 Territorial Notes
 Dates Entry into force: October 7, 1977 Adopted: October 5, 1973 [ Munich ] Subject Matter Patents (Inventions), Utility Models Notes The 17th edition (November 2020) of the European Patent Convention, its Protocols and Implementing Regulations take into account amendments up to the “Decision of the Administrative Council of October 13, 2022, Amending Rules 46, 49, 50, 57, 65, 82, 126, 127 and 131 of the Implementing Regulations to the European Patent Convention (CA/D 10/22)”, which enters into force on different dates (February 1, 2023 and November 1, 2023).

Article 2 of this Decision introduced amendments to Rules 46, to 50, 57, 65 and 82 (in force on February 1, 2023) as provided in the 17th edition (see page 2).
 Available Texts Treaty Text (1 Text) Treaty Text (1 Text) European Patent Convention (17th edition / November 2020) Dates Entry into force: October 7, 1977 Date of Text: October 5, 1973 Available Texts German  Europäisches Patentübereinkommen (17. Auflage / November 2020)  PDF English  European Patent Convention (17th edition / November 2020)  PDF French  Convention sur le brevet européen (17e édition / novembre 2020)  PDF
Fees (1 Text) Fees (1 Text) Schedule of fees and expenses of the EPO (applicable as from 1 April 2024) Dates Entry into force: April 1, 2024 Date of Text: April 1, 2024 Available Texts German  Verzeichnis der Gebühren und Auslagen des EPA (in der ab 1. April 2024 geltenden Fassung)  PDF English  Schedule of fees and expenses of the EPO (applicable as from 1 April 2024)  PDF French  Barème de taxes et redevances de l'OEB (applicable à compter du 1er avril 2024)  PDF