The Patents (Fees) Rules 2007

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules prescribe fees in relation to matters arising under the Patents Act 1977 and the Patents Rules 2007 (SI 2007/3291). These Rules take into account the Patents Rules 2007 and the revocation by those Rules of the Patents (Fees) Rules 1998 (SI 1998/1778) as last amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules 2005 (SI 2005/2496). There have been no fee increases.

Where a form is specified in Schedule 1 in relation to any matter, that form must be sent to the comptroller together with the relevant fee for that matter, unless the Patents Rules 2007 specify otherwise (rule 2).

The application fees for a national (UK) patent application and for an international application for a patent (UK) are set out in rule 3(1) and the fee for an international application for a patent (UK) to enter the UK national phase is set out in rule 3(2).

Fees for renewal of a patent, including late renewal, are set out in Schedule 2 (rules 4 and 5).

Provision is also made for fees in respect of supplementary protection certificates for medicinal and plant protection products. These relate to matters arising under the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92 of 18 June 1992 concerning the creation of a supplementary protection certificate for medicinal products (OJ No L 182, 2.7.92, p1) as amended by Regulation (EC) 1902/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 on medicinal products for paediatric use (OJ No L 378, 27.12.2006, p1). As regards plant protection products, the fees relate to Regulation (EC) No 1610/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 concerning the creation of a supplementary protection certificate for plant protection products (OJ No L 198, 8.8.96, p. 30).

The Patents (Supplementary Protection Certificates) Rules 1997 (SI 1997/64), which formerly made provision for fees in respect of supplementary protection certificates for medicinal and plant protection products, have been revoked by the Patents Rules 2007. Schedule 1 sets out certain fees relating to supplementary protection certificates, and rule 6 sets out the fees payable for a supplementary protection certificate to take effect.

Rule 7 sets out other fees relating to publication of translations of international applications and applications to the comptroller for orders to assist in obtaining evidence for proceedings under the European Patent Convention made in Munich on 5th October 1973 (published in Cmnd 8510 Treaty Series 16/1982 and also available on the website of the European Patent Organisation), and the transmission of an international application for a patent from the Patent Office to the International Bureau and the International Searching Authority under the Patent Co-operation Treaty signed at Washington on 19^th June 1970 (published in Cmnd 7340 Treaty series 78/1978 and also available on the website of the World Intellectual Property Organisation).

An impact assessment has been prepared and copies placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Copies are also available from Patents Legal Section, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport NP10 8QQ.