EPO

Overview

The European Patent Organisation, established by the European Patent Convention (EPC) of 1973, provides a central framework for granting patents through the European Patent Office (EPO). With 39 member states (27 being EU member states and 12 being non-EU member states), this system provides a centralized grant procedure, in which the EPO handles a single application and examination process, followed by validation in each designated country. Notably, the new Unitary Patent system entered into force on 1 June 2023, allowing a patent granted by the EPO to have a unitary effect across participating EU Member States.

Because the EPO focuses exclusively on patents, the protection of other intellectual property rights, such as trademarks and industrial designs, is handled by separate institutions or frameworks. Nevertheless, applicants can strategically combine multiple systems - such as the EU trademark (EUIPO) or the Designs - Hague System (WIPO) - to secure comprehensive rights in Europe and beyond.