News

October 2011

Finland reduces European patent costs

Finland has acceded to the London Agreement. The cost of validating a European patent in Finland has decreased significantly as a result.

Previously a patentee needed to file a translation of the whole European patent, to validate it in Finland. From 1 November 2011, the Finnish Patent Office will only require a Finnish translation of the claims, if the patent is granted in English.

17 states have now signed up to the London Agreement:

Croatia
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Hungary
Iceland
Latvia
Liechtenstein

Lithuania
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
Slovenia
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom

The major costs in validating a European patent in national states have always been translations cost. The number of states acceding to the London Agreement is reducing these costs, making patent validation increasingly affordable across Europe.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact us.