Patent registration in Romania – Any company that owns a patent and intends to expand its business in the Romanian market, create lasting value and find investors for their patent or license their future patents should use Romania’s patent system. It is paramount for businesses to file a patent application in Romania for inventions, even if the launch of the respective product on the Romanian market has not yet commenced.
Deadline for filing a patent application in Romania
The deadline for filing a patent application in Romania claiming priority is 12 months from the date of priority; however, priority may be claimed within two months after the above period, upon payment of an additional fee.
Request a patent application in Romania
The official language of the Romanian patent application is Romanian. If the application is submitted in another language, a translation into Romanian must be provided within two months of application for an additional fee of 100 Euros.
The following information and documents need to be provided in the patent application in Romania:
- the name and address of the patent applicant and the patent agent;
- patent claims;
- Patent description, invention summary;
- To claim priority, a copy of the priority document must be provided within 16 months of the priority date. Translation into Romanian is required.
No formal legalization of Power of Attorney is required. This document must be provided to the Romanian Patent Office at the same time as the application is filed, either within four months of the filing of the Romanian patent application or within two months of the applicant’s receipt of the application. Romanian Patent Office regarding the submission of missing documents.
If the Romanian patent applicant is not the inventor, an additional deed of assignment is required. The above documents do not need to be legalized or notarized and can be submitted within 3 months from the date of application.
Examination of patent applications in Romania
Substantive examination may be required within 30 months from the date of filing a patent application in Romania. An expedited assessment can also be requested, within 18 months of the date of application.
Patent validity and renewal
Patents in Romania are valid for twenty years from the date of filing. The licensing fee must be paid within four months of the decision to grant a patent in Romania. Annual maintenance fees must be paid within one year of the patent’s publication date.
Represented by a patent attorney
International applicants must conduct a patent search in Romania through a law firm, or an experienced patent attorney.
Please find the list of Romania IP Firms here.