EPC 2000 came into force

European Patent Contract (EPC) was revised by Amendment Agreement dated November 29, 2000, which has also been executed by Turkey. The new text of the Contract called EPC 2000, has come into effect on December 13, 2007.

Through EPC 2000, no change has been made on substantial part of the contract, however, for certain exceptional conditions, arrangements compatible with Patent Law Treaty (PLT) and DTÖ- TRIPS Agreement have been included. No changes on opposition and appeal processes have been made for granting European Patents.

In concern of EPC 2000 getting in effect and 30th anniversary of European Patent Office, a ceremony was held on December 13, 2007 in Munich. The ceremony hosted representatives of part and overlooking countries to European Patent Organization, former chairmen and managers of European Patent Office, agents of international organizations such as European Commission, WIPO and OHIM, seniors of BUSINESSEUROPE and many diplomatists.

Roland GROSSENBACHER, Chief of Executive Board of European Patent Organization, stated within the ceremony that he also was the chairman of Diplomatic Conference in which Amendment Agreement was realized, and denoted his pleasance to witness to EPC 2000 getting into effect.

During his speech at the ceremony, Thierry SUEUR, BUSINESSEUROPE agent in representation of European business, stated that patent obtaining is quite costly compared to US and Japan due to translation expenses and declared their expectation on London Agreement to come into effect as soon as possible.

Alison BRIMELOW, President of European Patent Office, said that EPO is the second biggest –following European Commission- and fourth biggest organization respectively in Europe and globally, and, stated that EPO has realized a major development within last thirty years. Within his speech, BRIMELOW keynoted the quality of EPO patents having global reputation and, said that EPO shall continue to cooperate with member states in order to improve European Patent System.

As is known, together with participation of Norway and Croatia on January 1, 2008, European Patent Contract (EPC) has reached to 34 member states and, Turkey was number 20 via participation on November 1, 2000. Turkey, however, is within a privileged status by both being part in preparation stages of European Patent Organization and also being a member of International Patent Institute (IIB), which merged into the body of EPO.

The Draft Statute related to the participation to said Amendment Agreement, was discussed and agreed within the session of Parliament dated March 13, 2007. Participation procedures were finalized through submittal of Participation Certificate on November 12, 2007 to German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thus, efforts of participation were completed one month prior to effect of the Agreement