1-2 years
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.
2-3 years
INPI only conducts a formality examination of the invention patent application, but still needs to pay the search fee within one month from the filing date and conduct a search by the EPO, and the search result does not affect the granted result.
no. (Utility models submitted before January 11, 2020 can be converted into inventions, provided that the technical preparations for publication are completed (approximately 16 months from the filing date). Search fees and search reports must be submitted at the same time.)
Reinstatement of Priority Accepted on Unintentional Grounds.
Filing Language: French Necessary documents:
- Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
Attachments (if any):
- Power of Attorney
- Certified Priority Document
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- small entity declaration
- inventor statement
- Business license for company registration or articles of incorporation
INPI
English: L'Institut national de la propriété industrielle, abbreviation: INPI
Website: www.inpi.fr
French Invention Patent Search: Recherche avancée - Data INPI
yes. Multiple designs may be included in one French design application, provided that the designs belong to the same class in the International Classification of Designs.
INPI only conducts formality examination of utility model patent applications, and does not conduct search and substantive examination. However, in case of litigation, a search report needs to be submitted.
yes