The good news is that the EPO increased its output of granted patents by 40% in 2016 over the year before. (Further information can been found here).

 

Users of the existing system are now familiar with the cost benefits of the London Agreement. Germany, UK, France and the Netherlands (London Agreement states) are popular validation states. Italy and Spain require full translation but the translation costs have fallen sharply and these states are popular. Validations generally have increased 3% over the year before. Please ask us for a cost estimate if you are looking for value-for-money in validating a European patent across a wide number of states.