Inventors boosted by cut in translation costs
Inventors and businesses in the UK are set to save more than £10 million a year thanks to new patent legislation which does away with unnecessary translations.
The cost of translating an average European patent will be halved when the London Agreement on patent translations enters into force on 1 May 2008.
New Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Morgan said:
"The French government has taken an historic step, which brings about changes first conceived in Paris in 1999. The London Agreement will greatly reduce the cost of patenting in Europe. Innovative UK companies will find it easier to protect their ideas, and market new inventions, benefiting consumers and the economy alike."
Inventors can already apply to the European Patent Office (EPO) to have patents granted for up to 34 European countries in a single application, which greatly reduces the cost of protecting inventions in Europe. Almost every one of these countries requires a full translation of the patent into their national language before they will recognise it. These translations account for about 25% of the cost of an average European patent.
From 1 May 2008 full translations will no longer be required for 14 states, including the major markets of the UK, France and Germany. For an average European patent, granted in seven European states, an inventor will save over £2500 in translation costs.
More information on the London Agreement and its effect on applicants for UK patents through the EPO can be found on the UK Intellectual Property Office website.
Editor's notes
In June 1999 the Paris Intergovernmental conference mandated the working party on cost reduction to find ways of reducing translation-related patent costs by 50%.
The Agreement on translations was adopted at the second Intergovernmental Conference in London in October 2000. (Hence, the 'London Agreement')
Secondary
legislation to enable ratification by the UK was approved in 2005 (The Patents
(Translation) Rules 2005). These provisions were superseded by rule 56 of the Patent Rules 2007 
which now provides
the necessary
legislation. Guidance notes
are available on the UK-IPO's website.
The London Agreement requires ratification by eight EPO contracting states, including the UK, Germany and France, for it to enter into force. Ratification by France means the Agreement will enter into force.
On 9 October 2007 the French Senate voted to approve ratification of the London Agreement. This followed approval of the same legislation by the French National Assembly on 26 September 2007. The President formally approved ratification on 18 October 2007.
For enquiries about the UK Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact the Communications Team on +44 (0)1633 814305.
