PATENT FILING IN FRANCE

The National Intellectual Property Office of France is INPI (Institut national de la propriété industrielle). France, in addition to PCT and Paris Convention applications, also accepts patent applications through the European Union. Apart from France, there are 5 other core states of the European Union: Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and West Germany.

As per French patent law, technical inventions are defined in two ways:

1. Patent of Invention: Granted for 20 years with a search report.

2. Utility Certificate: Granted for 10 years without a search report.

With the French government’s vision to boost patent filings, GPF is dedicated to providing a one-stop solution for all patent filing requirements. GPF can assist in efficiently and promptly filing patent applications using accurate translations. GPF, along with Khurana and Khurana, Advocates and IP Attorneys (K&K), has tremendous experience in dealing with Patent Filing/Prosecution as per French Patent Laws and can support the entire prosecution lifecycle of a Patent.

High Level Cost Estimate for Filing
Description
Price
Official Fee
€ 26.00
Attorney Fee
€ 50.00
Translation Fee
AS APPLICABLE
Total
€ 76.00  APPLICABLE TRANSLATION FEE
Documents Required
  • Power of Attorney (PoA)
  • French Translation of the Priority/PCT Document
Filing to Grant Procedure
1
STEP 1 : FILING

A patent can be filed in France as any of the following formats:

  • Paris Convention based national entry.

  • PCT National Phase based national entry.

If the application is submitted in another language, French translation is required within 2 months from the date of submission of the application.

2
STEP 2 : PUBLICATION

  • Publication of French patents is done within 18 months of the priority date.

3
STEP 3 : EXAMINATION

  • Request for examination has to be made within 6 months from the date of publication.

4
STEP 4 : PROSECUTION

  • Response to Examination Report has to be submitted within 3 months from the date of First Examination Report (FER).

5
STEP 5 : GRANT

  • Annuity for the 3rd year onwards is to be paid after grant of the Patent. Protection of the Patent is for 20 years from the International Filing Date.