Jan 2025 - Renewals - version 1

Question 1

A PCT application was filed on 10 Feb 2019 and the EPO Regional phase was entered on 03 Jan 2020. The EP patent was granted on 6 June 2024 and the applicant filed a Unitary Patent and validated nationally in the United Kingdom

Question 1
In respect of the Unitary Patent, when is the next renewal fee due, excluding any surcharge period?

Question 2
What years renewal fee is due?

Question 3
What is the latest date this fee could be paid with a surcharge?

Question 4
What office does the renewal fee need to be paid too?

Answer 1

Question 1
The next renewal fee is due 10 Feb 2025.

However, renewals can be paid until the last day of the month.

10/02/2025 + EOM = 28/02/2025

So the renewal can be paid until 28/02/2025

Question 2
7th year

Question 3
The renewal can be paid six months late with a surcharge.

28/02/2025 + 6 months = 31/08/2025

So the latest date the renewal could be paid with a surcharge is 31/08/2025

Question 4

EPO

Question 2

A GB design application was filed at the UK Patent Office on 15 March 2022 and Registered on 20 March 2022.

Question 1
What is the lastest date the first renewal fee could be paid without a surcharge?

Question 2
Assuming all renewal fees are paid, when will the design expire?

Answer 2

Question 1

The first renewal fee is due 15/03/2027.

The fee can be paid 1 month late without a surcharge

15/03/2027 + 1 month = 15/04/2027

So the first renewal fee can be paid up until 15/04/2027 without a surcharge

Question 2
The design will expire 25 years from the filing date

15/03/2022 + 25 years = 15/03/2047

So the design will expire 15/03/2047

Question 3

An EP application was filed on 20 June 2019 and granted on 30 November 2024. A divisional application was filed on 29 November 2024 and all accumulated renewal fees were paid

Question 1
In respect of the divisional application, when is the next renewal fee due?

Question 2
What years renewal fee is due?

Answer 3

Question 1

The next renewal fee in respect of the divisional application is due 20/06/2025

Renewal fees can be paid up until the end of month

20/06/2025 + EOM = 30/06/2025

So the next renewal fee is due 30/06/2025

Question 2
7th year

Question 4

A GB Patent application was filed on 8 May 2021 and was granted on 4 January 2025.

Question 1
When is the first renewal fee due?

Question 2
When is the latest date this renewal fee could be paid without a surcharge?

Question 3
What is the latest date this renewal fee could be paid with a surcharge?

Question 4
Assuming all renewal fees are paid, when will the patent expire?

Answer 4

Question 1
The 5th year renewal fee is due 08/05/2025.

Renewal fees can be paid up until the end of month.

08/05/2025 + EOM = 31/05/2025

So, the 5th year renewal fee is due 31/05/2025.

Question 2
The renewal fee can be paid 1 month late without any surcharge.

31/05/2025 + 1 month = 30/06/2025

So, the renewal fee can be paid up until 30/06/2025 without any surcharge.

Question 3
The renewal fee can be paid 6 months late with a surcharge.

31/05/2025 + 6 months = 30/11/2025

So, the renewal fee can be paid up until 30/11/2025 with a surcharge.

Question 4

The patent will expire 20 years from the filing date

08/05/2021 + 20 years = 08/05/2041

So, the patent will expire 08/05/2041

Question 5

A PCT application was filed with the US Receiving Office on 16 Feb 2023, which claimed priority from 60/123456 filed on 10 March 2022. The EPO regional phase was entered on 10 June 2024 and early processing was requested.

Question 1
When is the first renewal fee due in respect of the EP application?

Question 2
What is the lastest date the renewal fee could be paid without a surcharge?

Question 3
What is the lastest date the renewal fee could be paid with a surcharge?

Answer 5

Question 1
The 3rd year renewal fee is due 16/02/2025.

Renewal fees can be paid up until the end of month.

16/02/2025 + EOM = 28/02/2025.

So the renewal fee is due 28/02/2025

Question 2

28/02/2025 (no “free” period for paying renewals to the EPO)

Question 3

The renewal fee can be paid 6 months late with a surcharge.

28/02/2025 + 6 months = 31/08/2025

So, the renewal fee can be paid up until 31/08/2025 with a surcharge.

Question 6

An EPO application was filed on 28 June 2018 and granted on 15 July 2024. The proprietor decided to validate nationally in GB/FR/DE.

Question 1
In respect of the GB patent, when is the next renewal fee payable to the UKIPO?

Question 2
What years renewal fee is due?

Answer 6

Question 1

The next renewal fee is due 28/06/2025.

Renewal fees can be paid up until the end of month.

28/06/2025 + EOM = 30/06/2025.

So the renewal fee is due 30/06/2025

Question 2
8th year

Question 7

A UK design was filed on 4 October 2022 and granted on 14 October 2024. The design claimed priority from a US application filed on 20 April 2022.

Question 1
When does the first renewal fee fall due for this design?

Question 2
If late payment fees are to be avoided, what is the latest date by which the renewal fee could be paid?

Answer 7

Question 1

The first renewal fee is due 04/10/2027

Question 2

The renewal fee can be paid 1 month late without any surcharges.

04/10/2027 + 1 month = 04/11/2027

So, the renewal fee can be paid up until 04/11/2027 without a surcharge.

Question 8

A GB patent application is filed 10 December 2020, claiming an earlier priority date of 4 March 2020. The GB was granted on 4 November 2024.

Question 1
When does the first renewal fee fall due for this patent?

Question 2
What is the latest date the renewal fee could be paid with a surcharge?

Answer 8

Question 1
The first year renewal fee is due 04/02/2025 (3 months from grant date).

Renewal fees can be paid up until the end of month.

04/02/2025 + EOM = 28/02/2025.

So, the renewal fee is due 28/02/2025

Question 2
The renewal fee can be paid 6 months late with a surcharge.

28/02/2025 + 6 months = 31/08/2025

So, the renewal fee can be paid up until 31/08/2025 with a surcharge.