EPO introduces 30%  fee reduction for micro-entities! The new fee reduction only applies to the following entities: microenterprises, natural persons, non-profit organisations, universities, and public research organisations.

Micro-entities can save 30% in all main fees in the patent grant procedure by the European Patent Office (EPO)! This applies if they meet the definition of a “micro-entity” and haven’t filed more than five patent applications in the past five years.

A specific definition of “micro-entity” was established:

• Microenterprise definition: Employs less than 10 people and has a yearly turnover or balance sheet total under €2 million.

• Source: Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC (reference provided for further details).

• Applicability: This definition is used by the EPO to assess eligibility for fee reductions.

The fee reduction came into force on 1 April 2024. The change complements the support the EPO already provides to small and medium-sized applicants, such as a one-off reimbursement of translation costs related to the unitary patent.