Fee reductions for micro-enterprises from April

The European Patent Office (EPO) is to create an incentive package to help the filing of European patent applications by reducing payment fees. 

This incentive package aims to help smaller, less experienced European organisations grow and develop by giving them easier access to the European patent system.

From 1 April, a 30% reduction will be applied to:

• official filing fees
• prior art search fees
• examination application fees
• Member State designation fees 
• grant fee
• patent application annuity fees, provided the applicant has filed fewer than five patent applications in the last five years.

These incentives are aimed at micro-enterprises, universities, non-profit organisations, public research institutions and individuals.

In order to be entitled to these reductions, the status of one of the above types of entity must be filled in on the European patent application form.

Source: Portal do INPI