EUROPEAN PATENTS IN IRELAND

Ireland - Validation of European Patents
European Patents designating Ireland take effect in Ireland from the date of mention of grant in the European Patent Bulletin, subject to the following:

  1. if the European patent specification is published in French or German, an English translation of the specification must be filed in the Irish Patents Office within six months of the date of mention of grant (monthly discretionary extensions of time are available for submitting the English translation), and
  2. an address for service in Ireland must be provided.

In order that we may take appropriate action, we would require the following:

Information/Documents to enable us to validate and record the European Patent in Ireland

Copy of "Decision to Grant" issued by European Patent Office (EPO Form 2006)

Verified translation into English of the granted European Patent Specification (if appropriate)


Time Limit for Validation of EuropeanPatent published in French or German Six months from date of mention of grant

Document required for Appointment ofAddress for Service

Authorisation of Agent (Power of Attorney)(click here)

Requirements for Filing European Applications

  1. Request for Grant of a European patent and Designation of Inventor containing:
    a) name, address and nationality of the applicant;
    b) name, address and nationality of the inventor;
    c) details of transfer of patent rights from inventor to applicant;
    d) details of priority application;
  2. Description, claims, abstract and drawings (if any) - 4 copies of each; and
  3. A certified copy of basic patent application from which priority is claimed (priority document), with certified English translation if the priority document is not in English.

Requirements for Entry to European Phase of PCT Applications

  1. Full particulars of the PCT application, including publication details.
  2. Copy of the annex to the International Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA) report, if appropriate.
  3. Designation of the EPC Contracting and Extension States in which protection is required. The states must have been designated in the PCT application.

In addition, details of any assignments from the inventors to the applicant are required.

Requirements for Filing Irish Patent Application (20 Year)

  1. Applicant's name address and nationality
  2. Inventor's name and address
  3. Details of applicant's right to a patent
  4. Description, abstract and claims, in duplicate and copies of our file
  5. Formal drawings (if appropriate), in duplicate and copies for our file
  6. Authorisation of Agent (Form No. 5) - to be signed by the applicant and filed within three months of the filing date of the application
  7. Convention Document (certified copy of basic application, together with declared translation, if appropriate) in respect of each priority date claimed
  8. Information as to whether a prescribed corresponding patent application has been or will be filed; otherwise a request for a search must be filed.

Requirements for Filing Irish Short-Term (10 Year) Patent Application

1.- 3. As above
4. As above, but with a maximum of five claims.
5. - 7 As above

NOTE: Evidence of novelty is not required to obtain grant of short-term patent. Only necessary prior to issue of infringement proceedings.


Minimum Filing Requirements
One copy of the description, abstract, claims and drawings, together with information sufficient to identify the applicant.

Requirements for Filing Design Applications

  1. Applicant's name, address and nationality
  2. Representations of the design in quadruplicate (drawings or photographs) and copies for our file
  3. Authorisation of Agent (Power of Attorney), which may be filed subsequently
  4. Details of claim to priority and of any assignments, if the priority application was not filed in the name of the applicant.

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