News & Publications
News
29 January 2008
FRKelly reduces EP filing fees
In an attempt to alleviate the high costs of filing in Europe caused by the strength of the Euro, and to help offset EPO official fee increases, which are detailed below along with some strategies for minimising their impact, we are reducing our fee for filing European and Euro-PCT Patent Applications.
EP Filing Fee Reduction
Our fully inclusive agency fee for preparing, filing and reporting either a European Patent Application or a Euro-PCT Application (in ready-to-file form) is now €1,000. Of course, we are happy to give a comparative quote for any application you are considering filing in Europe, with no obligation on your part.
Excess Claim Fees
Since April 1, 2008 the EPO is charging €200, for each claim in an application after the 15th. For a case with 50 claims, the excess claims fees alone will increase from an already costly €1800 to a prohibitive €7,000.
Thus, you should ensure that sufficient time is given before filing to allow a review of the claims so that the number can be reduced as far as possible.
In any case, when drafting cases in future for filing in Europe, consider:
- minimising the number of actual claims;
- avoiding duplicated dependent method and apparatus claims
- using multiple dependencies
- including claim language for nonessential features in the description to support future amendments to the claims.
Renewal Fees
Since April 1, 2008, the surcharge for late payment of a renewal fee (up to 6 months late) has increased from 10% of the missed fee to 50%. as such, every effort should be made to secure renewal instructions in good time to avoid late payment surcharges.
All-inclusive filing costs
For complete transparency, our agency filing fee covers all of the normal filing costs. When comparing filing quotations, please note that some EP Attorneys will advertise a low headline rate for the "filing fee" while artificially inflating the search fee or excess claims fees to an amount greater than the official fees actually charged by the EPO.
EPO Fees to increase in 2 stages
This note explains the most significant increases occurring on April 1, 2008.
On April 1, 2009, the EPO will begin to charge on filing for longer applications (more than 35 pages) and will increase the excess claims fee €500 for each claim beginning with claim 51, as detailed here.
Please feel free, as ever, to contact us with any questions.
