European patent services for IP Firms
European patent services for IP Firms: from filing to national validations
The handling of a European patent application does not end with its filing at the European Patent Office (EPO). It involves several steps, including search, substantive examination, replies to Office communications, amendments, grant formalities and subsequent national validations.
For law firms, patent attorneys and corporate IP departments, managing these activities can require considerable organizational resources, particularly when protection is sought in multiple countries.
Our firm provides an integrated professional service for managing European patent procedures, from filing to granting and subsequent national validations, offering professionals a single point of contact for the coordination of the whole process.
Filing a European patent application
A European patent application can be filed directly with the EPO under the European Patent Convention (EPC).
The application generally includes:
- description of the invention;
- one or more claims;
- drawings, where applicable;
- abstract;
- applicant and inventor details;
- priority documents and relevant declarations, where applicable.
Applications have to be filed in English, French or German. Particular attention must be paid to the claims, priority rights, ownership and consistency of the technical documentation. If filed in a language different from the official ones, a translation into one of the official languages has to be filed within two months from filing.
Our firm can handle the preparation and filing of European patent applications, coordinating all relevant documentary and procedural requirements.
European search and substantive examination
Following filing, the EPO carries out a prior-art search and issues a search report, also accompanied by a preliminary opinion on patentability, particularly concerning novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability.
The subsequent substantive examination verifies compliance with the EPC. The EPO may issue communications raising objections concerning:
- lack of novelty or inventive step;
- insufficient disclosure;
- lack of clarity of the claims;
- added subject-matter;
- formal irregularities.
Managing these communications requires technical and legal analysis, the preparation of reasoned responses and, where appropriate, amendments to the claims.
Any amendments must comply with Article 123(2) EPC and must not extend beyond the content of the application as originally filed.
Our firm manages examination proceedings, including the analysis of EPO objections, preparation of observations and responses, and claim amendments.
Overcoming EPO objections and amending claims
Overcoming examination objections may require more than simply providing arguments. In certain cases, the claims must be amended to address the examiner’s objections while preserving the broadest possible scope of protection.
This activity includes:
- analysis of examiner objections and cited prior art;
- identification of distinguishing technical features;
- arguments concerning novelty and inventive step;
- preparation of amended claims;
- verification of compliance with the EPC;
- management of subsequent EPO communications.
The objective is not merely to obtain grant, but to secure effective and commercially meaningful patent protection.
Grant of the European patent
When the EPO considers the application allowable, it issues a communication under Rule 71(3) EPC, informing the applicant of the text intended for grant.
To proceed, the applicant must approve the proposed text, pay the grant and publishing fees, and submit translations of the claims into the other two official EPO languages.
The mention of grant is subsequently published in the European Patent Bulletin. This publication triggers important deadlines, including those for requesting unitary effect, completing national validations and filing any third-party opposition.
National validations after grant
An EPO grant does not automatically complete the formalities required to maintain protection in every designated country.
Under the traditional system, the European patent must be validated in the individual states where protection is required, in accordance with the EPC and applicable national regulations.
Under Article 65 EPC, contracting states may require translations of the patent within specified deadlines. The standard validation period is generally three months from publication of the mention of grant, although national requirements must always be checked.
National validation activities may include:
- selection of the countries of interest;
- verification of national requirements and deadlines;
- preparation of patent translations;
- payment of applicable fees;
- coordination with local associates;
- filing of required documents;
- verification of completed formalities.
Our firm coordinates these activities, including translations and local associates where required, ensuring centralized management of international validation procedures.
Traditional validation or European patent with unitary effect?
Following grant, the proprietor may choose between traditional national validations and the European patent with unitary effect.
Traditional European patent
Protection is obtained in individual designated states by completing the relevant national formalities. Depending on the jurisdiction, these may include translations, fees, documentation and appointment of local representatives.
European patent with unitary effect
The unitary patent (UP) provides uniform protection in participating EU Member States where the Unified Patent Court Agreement is in force.
The request for unitary effect must be submitted to the EPO within one month of publication of the mention of grant and requires the translation of the granted text in a language of one of the UP countries other than the language of the procedure.
It provides centralized registration and a single annual renewal fee. However, traditional validations remain necessary for non-participating states and other territories where protection is required.
The appropriate solution depends on territorial coverage, commercial interests, costs and the proprietor’s protection strategy.
Patent maintenance and international coordination
Unlike most other jurisdictions, for a European patent application the payment of the renewal or maintenance fees is mandatory from the beginning of the third year from filing, even if the patent has not yet been granted.
After validation, maintaining a traditional European patent requires payment of annual renewal fees in each country where protection has been obtained. A unitary patent, instead, is maintained through a single annual fee payable to the EPO.
For international patent portfolios, monitoring renewal deadlines and coordinating national requirements are essential to prevent unintentional loss of protection.
Our firm provides centralized management of post-grant activities, including deadline monitoring, translation coordination, instructions to local associates, national filings and verification of validation confirmations.
A single professional contact for the entire European patent procedure
Our service is specifically designed for:
- law firms;
- patent attorneys and IP representatives;
- patent and intellectual property consultants;
- IP agencies;
- corporate and industrial group IP departments;
- professionals managing international patent portfolios.
The mandate may cover the entire European procedure, from filing to grant and national validations, or specific activities according to the professional firm’s requirements.
Our aim is to provide a single professional point of contact, reducing administrative complexity and avoiding the need to coordinate multiple providers independently.
Frequently asked questions
Law firms, patent attorneys, IP representatives, consultants, agencies and corporate IP departments.
Yes. The service can include filing, search and examination, responses to EPO communications, grant formalities and subsequent national validations.
Yes. Our firm can manage exclusively the post-grant phase, including translations, national formalities and coordination of local associates.
Requirements vary according to national legislation and the proprietor’s status. Where necessary, our firm coordinates local associates.
It is generally three months from publication of the mention of grant, subject to the applicable national requirements. However, unitary patent protection has to be requested within one month from the publication of the mention of grant.
Traditional validation provides protection in individual countries through national formalities. The unitary patent provides uniform protection in participating EU Member States, subject to a request filed with the EPO within one month of grant.
Yes. The service can be tailored to cover individual activities or the entire European patent lifecycle.
A single professional point of contact, from European patent filing to grant and international validations.
Our firm provides IP professionals with integrated European patent management services, ensuring procedural continuity, deadline monitoring and coordination of international formalities.