1 Must a national professional representative be appointed?

No, but it is recommended that an internal address for service be given.

The authorised professional representative before the EPO is not required to file a new authorisation.

2 Period for filing the translation

3 months after the date on which the mention of the grant or the decision to maintain the patent as amended is published in the European Patent Bulletin (see also column 11)

Art. R. 614-8 Decr.

3 (a) Special fee payable? (b) If so, when due?

(a) EUR 35

(b) date on which translation is filed

Art. R. 614-11 and R. 614-18 Decr.

Fees Ord. of 24.12.01

4 Language(s) in which the translation must be filed

French

Art. L. 614-7. Law No. 92-597

5 Must a form be used?

No (see however, column 11)

INPI Notice in PIBD 1995 IV 128

6 No. of copies to be filed

1

see column 5

7 Are documents which meet the formal requirements pursuant to Rules 32 and 35(3)-(14) EPC accepted?

Yes

see column 5

8 Manner and form in which the translation is made available to the public

Mention of the filing of the translation in the Official Bulletin (BOPI)

Display in reading room

Copies available

Art. R. 614-9 Decr.

9 Correction of translation permitted?

Yes; the applicant must indicate the issue number and date of the BOPI in which the mention of the first filing of the translation appeared.

Art. L. 614-9. Law No. 92-597

PIBD 1981 I 36

10 Is provision made for a special fee for correction?

Yes, cf. column 3(a)

Art. R. 614-12 and R. 614-8 Decr.

Fees Order of 24.12.01

11 Special features

Proof of payment of the requisite fee must be submitted with the translation (Art. R. 614-8 and R. 614-11 Decr.), which may be filed either with INPI in Paris or with the branch offices in Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nancy,  Nantes, Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Rennes, Strasbourg and Toulouse.

The following information must be given in the top quarter of the first page:

- European publication number

- application number

- number and date of the European Patent Bulletin in which the grant was mentioned.

The translation must be accompanied by a copy of the drawings in the EP specification even where there is no textual matter.

For further recommended formal requirements, see also the INPI Notice in PIBD 1995 IV 128 and 1997 IV 37.

Failure to file the translation in due time is mentioned in the Official Bulletin (BOPI).

Art. R. 614-10 Decr.

If the translation is filed before the mention of the grant or the decision regarding opposition is published in the European Patent Bulletin (cf. column 2), the date of such publication must be indicated.