European Patent (EPO) Validation in Latvia

1. Terms for patent validation in Latvia

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 translation must include the full name and signature of the representative.

The translation must be accompanied by the request for publication.

2. Conditions for patent validation in Latvia

2.1 Translation – Latvia has enacted provisions under Article 65(1) EPC and requires a translation of the complete European patent specification if the European patent has not been granted in one of their official languages.

• For provisional protection: it is required a translation of the complete patent specification, in Latvian. The translation in electronic form must be included.
• After grant: a translation of the claims into Latvian must be supplied. Due date is 3 months after the date on which the mention of the grant, maintenance in amended form or limitation of the European patent is published in the European Patent Bulletin.

2.2 Payment of patent validation and national registration fees:

There is a special fee to be paid: 25 LVL. Due date for the payment is the date on which translation is filed. The translation is not published until the fee has been paid.

3. Effect of the European patent as a national Latvian 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 Latvia

• Due date: last day of the month in which the date of filing occured.
• Time limit for payment (without surcharge): a fee falling due within 3 months of the publication of the mention of grant in the European Patent Bulletin may be paid without surcharge within this 3-month period.
• Earliest possible date for payment: no information available.
• Period of grace for payment of fees (with surcharge): 6 months from due date.