EPO – Adjustment of Official Fees: Advance Planning Recommended
202602.24
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EPO – Adjustment of Official Fees: Advance Planning Recommended

INTERPATENT wishes to inform its foreign associates that the European Patent Office (EPO) has announced an increase of several official fees relating to the European patent procedure starting from April 1, 2026. The adjustment concerns, inter alia, filing, search, examination and renewal fees. As per established practice, the new fee schedule will apply to payments made on or after the date of entry into force, while fees validly paid before that date will remain subject to the current rates.

Disclosing Before Filing: The “Grace Period” Between Lifeline and Minefield
202602.24
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Disclosing Before Filing: The “Grace Period” Between Lifeline and Minefield

In the world of patents, there is an almost religious dogma: absolute novelty. Under this principle, for an invention to be patentable it must never have been made public in any way — whether through a scientific article, a social media post, or even a trade fair — before the patent application filing date.