European Patent (EPO) Validation in France

1. Terms for patent validation in France

The period for filing the translation in 3 months after the date on which the mention of the grant or the decision to maintain the patent as amended is published in the European Patent Bulletin.

The following information must be given in the upper third part of the first page of the translation:

• European publication number;
• European application number;
• number and date of the European Patent Bulletin in which the application was published;
• application date;
• the title of the invention;
• the applicant’s name;
• the lPC;
• any priority data, if applicable.

2. Conditions for patent validation in France

2.1 Translation – In France, no translation of the specification of the European patent needs to be supplied (status: 1 May 2008). Under Article 64(1) EPC, the European patent automatically confers on its proprietor from the date the mention of its grant is published in the European Patent Bulletin, the same rights as would be conferred by a national patent granted in that state.

• For provisional protection: no translation is required.
• After grant: no translation is required.

2.2 Payment of patent validation and national registration fees:

There is no special fee to be paid.

3. Effect of the European patent as a national French patent

Under Article 64(1) EPC, a European patent automatically confers on its proprietor from the date on which the mention of the grant is published in the European Patent Bulletin, in each contracting state in respect of which it is granted, the same rights as would be conferred by a national patent granted in that state.

4. Patent annuities in France

• Due date: last day of the month in which the date of filing occured.
• Time limit for payment (without surcharge): if the payment made up to the date specified in due date is insufficient, no surcharge is payable if the deficit is made good within the period for payment of the surcharhe.
• Earliest possible date for payment: payment may not be made more than 12 months before due date.
• Period of grace for payment of fees (with surcharge): 6 months from due date.