Fees For Patent in France
Fees associated with filing patent applications in France as well as other patent charges are available in the fee calculator.
The Term for filing the French patent application
The term for filing a patent application in France claiming conventional priority is 12 months from the priority date. Restoration is possible if the applicant has a legitimate reason for missing the above term and files a request for restoration within two months.
Patent Filing Requirements in France
The official language of the proceedings before the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) is French. Applications may be filed in any language; however, the translation into French should be submitted within two months of the filing date.
To obtain the date of filing, it is necessary to submit:
– request to grant a patent;
– information about the applicant;
– description of the invention (does not have to comply with the formal requirements);
– priority claim (if any).
A copy of the Priority Document should be filed within 16 months from the priority date.
It is not necessary to provide the Power of Attorney if the applicant is represented by an industrial property attorney. In other cases, the original non-legalized Power of Attorney should be submitted.
If the applicant is not the inventor or the sole inventor, it is necessary to file a document designating the inventors with their full names and addresses.
Analysis of a French patent application
Applications in France are subject to formal examination only. However, conducting a search (in case no priority is claimed) or submitting a search report is mandatory. Search should be requested either on filing or within one month from the filing date.
Opposition period for patent application
In France, since the enforcement of the PACTE law, it is possible to file an opposition against a French patent within 9 months following the grant. Grounds for opposition are the same as in Europe. Opposition proceedings pertain only to French patents issued on or after 1 April 2020, it does not concern the French part of a European patent.
Novelty grace period in France
Disclosure of an invention will be disregarded if it occurred within six months before the priority date and as a result of:
– the disclosure made by the applicant or applicant’s legal predecessor at an official or officially recognized exhibition (provided that the corresponding substantiating is filed);
– an evident abuse of the applicant or applicant’s legal predecessor.
Grant, validity term, and patent maintenance fees in France
Patent applications in France are subject to the payment of the grant fee. The validity term of a patent is twenty years from the filing date. Annual maintenance fees apply to both pending applications and granted patents. The first annuity is included in the filing fee. Annuities become due on the last day of the month of filing and may not be paid more than one year before the due date. Late payment is possible within six months after the due date, a corresponding surcharge applies.
Duration of the patent application registration procedure
If the prosecution process goes smoothly, it takes an average of 2-3 years to get a patent granted.
Utility Model in France
In France, it is possible to obtain a utility certificate, which has a non-extendable validity term of 10 years. Filing requirements are the same as for patents, but no search is conducted. Utility certificate applications are subject to formal examination only. It is possible to protect products, methods, or devices with utility certificates. Annuities are payable in the same manner as for patents.
Representation by a French patent attorney
For applicants not residing in France, EU, or EEA (European Economic Area), it is necessary to perform patent prosecution through an agent, a registered French patent attorney.
Notes
1. Online Search Databases: French Patents, European Patents (EPO).
2. Patent protection in France may also be obtained via registration of the European patent. European patents are automatically valid in the territory of France.
3. It is not possible to enter the PCT national phase in France, only a European patent may be obtained based on a PCT application.
If you have any queries related to the Patent Filing in France, please contact IIPLA team. We will be more than happy to resolve your queries free of cost.
If you wish to request a quote for France, please fill the below form:
