Legal basis for levying renewal fees

Sect. 26 PL

R. 42, 56 PFR

1 Amount of fees

plus any charges levied by banks

PFR

2 (a) Due date (in the patent year concerned) (b) Time limit for payment (without surcharge)*

(a) anniversary of date of filing (Form P.13)

(b) N/A

R. 42, 56(2) PFR

* For first renewal fee to be paid, see Art. 141(2) EPC.

3 Period of grace for payment of fees (with surcharge) (a) duration (b) surcharge

(a) 6 months from due date

(b) 10% per month

R. 42(1)(b) PFR

4 Communication of a reminder in cases of non-payment (a) provided for (b) date of despatch

(a) Yes, but not mandatory

(b) approx. 1 month after due date

5 Restitutio in integrum (a) provided for (b) time limit for submitting application

(a) Yes (Form P.14)

(b) within 12 months of expiry of the period of grace under col. 3

R. 43, 43(1)(a) PFR

6 Appointment of a national professional representative for (a) payment of fees (b) communication of a reminder of non-payment (c) proceedings in respect of restitutio in integrum

(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(c) Yes

7 Information regarding lapse of patent in cases of non-payment of renewal fees

Entry in Register of Patents

Publication in the Official Gazette

R. 3, 42(4) PFR