As of 15th January 2024, it is possible to validate European patent applications and patents in Georgia. This makes the process of obtaining patent protection in the country much easier and cheaper that is has historically been. We take a brief look at what you need to do.
What is this new protection?
Georgia is not a member state of the European Patent Organisation but rather is one of five ‘validation states’ that the Organisation has validation agreements with – the other countries are: Morocco, Republic of Moldova, Tunisia and Cambodia. Under the validation agreements, it is possible to validate European patent applications and patents in these countries, to give you patent protection having the same scope as the granted European patent.
How do I validate my European patent in Georgia?
Validation for Georgia is ‘deemed to be requested’ for any European or International patent cooperation treaty (PCT) application filed on or after 15 January 2024. It is not available for European patent applications, or European patents resulting from PCT applications, filed before that date.
A validation fee must be paid to the European Patent Office (EPO) within six months of publication of the European search report on a European patent application, and on entry into the European regional phase from a PCT application.
Further information about validating European patent applications and patents in Georgia in the EPO’s Official Journal: OJ EPO 2023, A106 – Validation of European patents in Georgia
If you are interested in patent protection in Georgia, our European patent attorneys will be happy to explain the European patent application process to you. Get in touch here.