News

01/07/09 San Marino accedes to the European Patent Convention. Further information can be found here

01/05/08 The London Agreement is now in force, reducing the translation requirements for European Patents in the countries which have ratified the Agreement. Further information can be found here

10/03/08 National search reports for Community Trade Mark applications, which can be used to see if the mark being applied for is similar or identical to any already registered in individual EU member states, are now optional instead of being performed automatically. Further information can be found here

01/01/08 Croatia and Norway accedes to the European Patent Convention. Further information can be found here

01/01/08 The European Community accedes to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs, allowing a party in the UK to apply for an International Design. Further information can be found here

01/10/07 UK Trade Mark applications are now no longer automatically objected to on the basis of relative grounds (earlier Trade Marks). Further information can be found here

01/03/07 Malta accedes to the European Patent Convention. Further information can be found here

01/01/07 Bulgaria and Romania accede to the European Community. Further information can be found here