A European patent is examined and granted by the European Patent Office and can be validated after grant in all member states of the European Patent Convention (EPC) by payment of a fee and – if applicable – filing of a translation into the local language. A valid European patent conveys the same legal effects as a national patent.
The European Patent Convention is not limited to countries within the European Union, but comprises countries such as Turkey, Norway and Switzerland – overall, 38 member states. The legal effects of European patents can further be extended to the territory of two extension states (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro) and two validation states (Morocco and Moldova) without going through lengthy patent prosecution in these countries.
