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European Patent Convention

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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, Plant Variety Protection 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 2014) Dates Entry into force: April 1, 2014 Date of Text: April 1, 2014 Available Texts German  Verzeichnis der Gebühren und Auslagen des EPA (in der ab 1. April 2014 geltenden Fassung)  PDF English  Schedule of fees and expenses of the EPO (applicable as from 1 April 2014)  PDF French  Barème de taxes et redevances de l'OEB (applicable à compter du 1er avril 2014)  PDF