Submit the application directly to the EPO
Most applicants submit their application electronically directly to the EPO. When you submit electronically,
- you receive an immediate receipt
- you pay a lower application fee than for paper submission
- the EPO processes the application directly
Submit via a national patent office
You can also submit the application via the patent office in an EPC member state, for example, the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO). The patent office will then forward the application to the EPO.
Please note that
- the EPO checks whether the application meets the formal requirements
- the EPO determines the filing date
- the Norwegian Industrial Property Office is not responsible if the receipt date does not meet the requirements for the filing date at the EPO
Do you need a representative?
We recommend using an approved representative when applying to the EPO, even if you have a place of business or residence in an EPC country. The regulations are complex, and errors can have significant consequences for your rights.
If you do not have a place of business or residence in an EPC country, you must normally use a representative. You can find rules and an overview of approved representatives on the EPO's website.
Who processes the application?
The European Patent Office (EPO) processes and evaluates European patent applications. If the EPO approves the application, they grant a European patent.
If you have questions about application requirements, processing, or fees, you must contact the EPO directly.
What happens after the patent is granted?
When the EPO grants a European patent, you must decide how the patent will apply in the countries where you want protection.
You can
- validate the patent in the countries where you want protection
- request unitary effect (unitary patent)
- combine the solutions
You do not need to choose before the patent is granted.
If you want the patent to be valid in Norway, you must validate the patent here within the deadline after the grant.
Before you apply
Before submitting a European patent application, you should consider
- which countries you want patent protection in
- whether you should claim priority from an earlier application
- whether a European patent application is the right strategy for you
