EPC National Validation Translation Requirements and the London Agreement – Rewards and Risks
The London Agreement, which initially took effect in May 2008, has reduced some of the translation burden for patentees who use the EPC system, but in some instances it can also create an ‘out of sight out of mind’ risk.
(Ambiguous) Late Fee Change of Practice by IPONZ as PCT Receiving Office
On the 18th May 2023 IPONZ advised that with effect from 15th May 2023 it no longer charges a late fee when the required collective Transmittal, International Filing and International Search fees for PCT International applications have not been paid or have inadequately been paid.
Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent System Commence on 1st June 2023
After decades of negotiations amongst European Patent Convention (EPC) members the ability to be granted a single patent covering many (but not all) EPC contracting states which can be enforced in those states through one set of judicial proceedings will commence on 1st June 2023.