Patent registration in Ireland – Any company that owns a patent and plans to expand its business in the Irish market, create lasting value and find investors for their patent or license their future patents should use the Irish patent system. It is paramount for businesses to file an Irish patent application for inventions, even if the launch of the respective product on the Irish market has not yet taken place.
Deadline for filing a patent application in Ireland
The deadline for filing a patent application in Ireland claiming priority is normally 12 months from the priority date. An application may be filed within a two-month period after the deadline if the reason for the late filing is unintentional, has been carefully considered, and the corresponding additional fee has been paid.
Request a patent application in Ireland
The official patenting languages in Ireland are Irish and English. An application in a foreign language and a translation into English, together with a statement that the translation is correct, may be filed within the two-month period specified by the Patent Office. This period may be extended for no more than one month if requested by the applicant.
The following information and documents must be provided in the patent application to the Irish Patent Office:
- the name and address of the patent applicant and the patent agent;
- patent claims;
- Invention description, drawings.
If priority is requested, a certified copy of the priority document must be filed within 16 months of the priority date. This period may be extended at the request of the applicant and payment of the prescribed fee. If the priority document is not in English, a translation must be submitted within 21 months of the priority date.
The signed power of attorney must be submitted at the time of application submission or within the time prescribed by the Controller. No need to legalize or notarize Power of Attorney.
If the applicant is not an inventor, a Declaration of Patent Rights (Deed of Assignment) must be provided within sixteen months of the filing date of the patent application in Ireland or from the priority date of the application. Legalization or notarization is not required.
Examination of patent applications in Ireland
Patent applications in Ireland will have to go through an examination of form and substance. Substantive examination must be requested and the official fee must be paid within four years from the date of application in Ireland.
Patent validity and renewal
Patents in Ireland are valid for twenty years from the date of filing. The official fee for the grant and publication of a patent must be paid within 4 months from the date the Authorization Notice is issued. Annual maintenance fees for Irish patents begin in year three and are payable on or before the last day of the month of the filing date.
The annual fee may be paid up to four months prior to the due date or within a six-month grace period subject to additional payment of the surcharge.
The time frame of the patent application procedure
The average patent application processing time in Ireland is 3 years.
Represented by a patent attorney
International applicants must conduct a patent search in Ireland through a law firm, or an experienced patent attorney.
You can find the list of Ireland IP firms here.