Temporary measures of EPO and INPI

Due to the health crisis related to COVID 19, the EPO and the INPI have put in place provisional measures regarding fees and deadlines related to ongoing proceedings. 

The EPO announced on 28 May the temporary suspension of the additional fees related to the late payment of the renewal fee:

"The additional fee for late payment of a renewal fee for a European patent application (Rule 51(2) EPC) referred to in Article 2(1)(5) of the Rules on Fees shall be abolished as from the entry into force of this Decision and until 31 August 2020".

This Decision is applicable from 1 June 2020 until 31 August 2020 for European patent applications for which renewal fees fall due on or after 15 March 2020 and have not been paid on the due date. More information about the EPO decision

INPI has also issued an order providing for the postponement of deadlines occurring in the period between March 12 and June 23, 2020 inclusive are postponed to July 23, 2020 if the initial deadline was one month and to August 23, 2020 if the initial deadline was two months or more. More information about the INPI decision

Plasseraud IP keeps our clients up to date on decisions from IP Offices. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.