Patent registration in the Czech Republic – Any company that owns a patent and plans to expand its business in the Czech Republic market, create long-term value, and find investors for its patent they or their patent licensors in the future should use the Czech patent system. It is of utmost importance for businesses to file a patent application in the Czech Republic for inventions, even if the launch of the respective product on the Czech market has not yet commenced.
Deadline for filing a patent application in the Czech Republic
The time limit for filing a patent application in the Czech Republic claiming priority is normally 12 months from the date of priority. This period cannot be restored after it has expired.
Patent application in the Czech Republic
Patent applications must be filed in Czech. For ordinary applications, it is not possible to file a Czech patent application in any other language and submit a translation on time.
The following information and documents must be provided in the patent application to the Czech Patent Office:
- the name and address of the patent applicant and the patent agent;
- patent claims;
- Invention description, drawings.
The priority document may be filed after the application is filed within the time limit specified by the patent office. The patent office may also request a translation of the priority document into Czech.
No need to legalize or notarize Power of Attorney (POA). This document must be submitted to the Czech industrial property office upon application or within 2 months from the date of receipt of the notice of submission of the POA. A signed scanned copy of the POA with a clear date is required, but the original can be requested at any stage of the patent application process in the Czech Republic.
Examination of patent applications in the Czech Republic
Substantive examination of a patent application in the Czech Republic must be requested within 36 months of the filing of the patent application. Otherwise, the application is considered to have been withdrawn. This period cannot be extended.
Patent validity and renewal
The official fee for granting a patent in the Czech Republic must be paid after the decision to grant a patent is issued within the period specified by the Patent Office (usually one month). Patents in the Czech Republic are valid for twenty years from the date of application. The annual maintenance fee for the first Czech patent must be paid within three months of the grant of the patent. Patent maintenance fees related to subsequent years must be paid before or on the date on which the annual term expires.
Represented by a patent attorney
International applicants should conduct a patent search in the Czech Republic through a law firm, or an experienced patent attorney.