This page explains how we charge for International patent applications entering the European Regional Phase. It does not explain in any detail the procedures involved. If you would like more information then please ask your normal contact at Mewburn Ellis or contact us at mail@mewburn.com.

An International (PCT) patent application usually includes a designation for a European Patent. If a European Patent is to be obtained, then steps must be taken in order to enter the "European Regional Phase" within 31 months of the earliest claimed priority date (or the PCT filing date if no priority is claimed).

We have a great deal of experience in bringing PCT applications into the European Regional Phase in a cost efficient way and in a manner aligned with the applicant's business needs.

On 1st February 2006 we introduced a new fixed and significantly reduced service charge* for applications entering the European Regional Phase.  For our clients that we charge in dollars, the fixed service charge is:

                                                                      US$1,450

This is a 25% to 35% saving compared with our pre-Feb 2006 rates.

The only additional service charge on entry into the European Regional Phase is for paying claims fees, and there is good news here as well. The EPO charges a fee for each claim in excess of fifteen, but we will only apply a service charge if the application has more than 30 claims.

Of course there are still the official EPO fees to calculate, but we are always happy to help with this by providing an estimate on request.

Remember that you can reduce the number of claims, and hence the claims fees due, by way of a preliminary amendment filed when entering the European Regional Phase or shortly thereafter.

*The fixed fee includes our charges for preparing all of the formal papers, paying the filing, search, designation and examination fees, reporting the filing to you (both an immediate acknowledgement on the day of filing and a formal filing report a little later), forwarding the EPO's Rule 161/162 communication (giving the opportunity to make a preliminary amendment) and forwarding to you a copy of the Supplementary European Search Report and any cited documents, if issued.

For our clients with an established credit record with us, we will continue our practice of not requesting payment in advance. For others, we may ask to be paid first, based on our estimate.