European Patent Convention

Accession by Albania

Albania deposited its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 11 February 2010, and will become bound by that Convention on 1 May 2010.  This will bring the number of Contracting States of the EPC to 37.

Therefore, any international application filed on or after 1 May 2010 will include the designation of Albania for a European patent in addition to a national patent (applicants should be aware that, although any international application filed before that date will include the designation of Albania for a national patent, it will not include the designation of Albania for a European Patent). 

Furthermore, as from 1 May 2010, it will be possible for nationals and residents of Albania to file international applications with the European Patent Office (EPO) as receiving Office, in addition to the Albanian Patent Office or the International Bureau of WIPO. 

Effect on the extension agreement between the EPO and Albania

The extension agreement between Albania and the European Patent Organisation will terminate with the entry into force of the EPC in Albania on 1 May 2010.  It will thereafter no longer be possible to extend European patent applications and patents to Albania.  The extension system will, however, continue to apply to all European and international applications filed prior to 1 May 2010, as well as to all European patents granted in respect of such applications.

Further information on the accession to the EPC by Albania has been published on the EPO website at:

http://www.epo.org/patents/law/legal-texts/journal/informationEPO/archive/20100301.html?update

(Updating of the PCT Applicant’s Guide, Annexes B1 (AL), B2 (EP) and C (EP))