Legal basis for levying renewal fees

Art. R. 613-46, R. 613-47, R. 614-16 and R. 618-3 Decr.

Art. L. 612-19. Law No. 92-597

Enquiries re renewal fees:

I’Agence Comptable, Bureau des annuités

Tel. (+ 33 3) 28 36 34 93

Fax (+ 33 1) 42 94 01 91

1 Amount of fees

plus any charges levied by banks

Fees Ord. of 24.12.01

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

(a) last day of the month in which the date of filing occurred

(b) in the event of insufficient payment, no surcharge is payable if the deficit is made good within the period for payment of the surcharge

Art. R. 613-46, R. 613-47 Decr.

* 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) 2nd-10th year: EUR 15

11th-20th year: EUR 50

Art. L. 612-19. Law No. 92-597

Art. R. 613-46, R. 613-47 and R. 618-3 Decr.

Fees Ord. of 24.12.01

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

(a) Yes (reminders are sent abroad)

(b) No information available

Art. R. 613-48 Decr.

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

(a) Yes

(b) 3 months after communication of decision of the Director of lNPI

Fee for appeal: EUR 75

Art. L. 613-22. Law No. 92-597

Art. R. 613-52 Decr.

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) No

(b) No, but is recommended that an address for service in France be given

(c) No

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

Determined by decision of the Director of INPI (communication to proprietor of patent)

Publication of Decision in Official Bulletin (BOPI)

Entry in Register of Patents

Art. L. 613-22. Law No. 92-597

Art. R. 613-50 Decr.