How much does a European patent cost?
Fees are charged at different times of the appication:
- Filing (additional fee for the 36th following pages)
- search
- designation countries protection is sought in,
- claims (if more than fifteen),
- examination,
- grant
- Annuities for the third year and each following year after the date of filing.
The wipo indicates (here) that :
- Preliminary examination fee: 1830 € (additional fees are the same amount)
- Handling fee: 175 €
- Protest fee: 875 €
- Late furnishing fee: 875 €
- Search fee 1775 €
Any money paid by mistake, or in excess etc will be refunded.
If the international application is withdrawn before the start of the international preliminary examination, the procedure is completely refunded.
Filing and search fees are due at the beginning of the procedure and amount on average to 1510€ or 1420€ if filed online.
The rest of the fees can be payed later, this allows for the applicant to chose wether or not to continue with the application.
The European Patent office indicates it cost on average 5 710€ to bring the applicant to the grant stage.
That is not including the post grant, validation stage in each country, which may incur further costs, or annuities which vary from state to state.
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