European patent

By filing a European patent application with the European Patent Office, a European patent for 36 contracting states of the European Patent Convention (EPC) can be obtained in a European patent granting procedure. The 36 contracting states of the EPC are not identical with the EU states. For example, Switzerland and Turkey are members of the EPC. After the grant of the European patent, this breaks down into individual national property rights. According to the London Agreement, translations must be made for different states. You can then choose in which states you still need European protection. Due to the London Agreement, translations are no longer required in many countries, e.g. Germany, France. The costs for a European patent have therefore become lower overall.

Within nine months after the publication of the grant of the European patent, anyone can file an opposition against the grant. An appeal against decisions of the Examining and Granting Divisions of the European Patent Office can be filed with the Boards of Appeal.