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Mayday, premier mai, erster Mai ...

By Jeremy

In case you've missed this major date in the patent calendar, the IPKat is pleased to remind you that today's the day the London Agreement enters into force. The Agreement (full name: "The London Agreement on the application of Article 65 EPC", text here) is expected to reduce the cost of patenting through the European Patent Office EPO by reducing the translation requirements for European patents. So far, this Agreement has been ratified in 14 European Patent Convention states (Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK).

What does it all mean? By way of example, the UK IPO explains that, if a European patent that designates the UK as one of the countries in which protection is sought is published in French or German, it is now no longer necessary to file an English translation in order for the patent (or any amendment to it) to have force there. No translation is required for any European patent designating the UK that is granted or amended from 1 February 2008 onwards. More information on the London Agreement can be found here on the European Patent Office website.

The IPKat has heard about the great savings that will be made by patent applicants, but he doesn't think that the income of patent translators will be decimated in consequence. Presumably, in the absence of an official translation into the language of each designated EPC member state, businesses that believe themselves potentially affected by a patent in an alien tongue will each be commissioning their own private, unofficial translations. Merpel says, let's see whether the London Agreement makes a real impact on patent filing strategies of both innovators and their competitors: only then can we know whether the new scheme was worthwhile.

Before London here
After London here
Mayday here

Full post as published by IPKat on May 01, 2008 (boomark / email).