IP services / European patent applications
HORAK · INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
European patent applications
Use the European Patent Office (EPO) procedure to seek protection across selected European markets. We coordinate drafting, examination and the decisions required at grant, including national validation and, where appropriate, unitary effect.
A European route is not the same as an EU-wide right
The European Patent Convention extends beyond the European Union. An ordinary European patent generally takes effect as national rights in the selected states after grant and completion of applicable requirements. A Unitary Patent is a separate post-grant option for participating EU states; it does not cover all EPC states.
Draft for examination and commercial value
We assess the technical contribution, the closest known prior art and the evidence supporting the claimed effect. Alternative claim positions should be included in the original disclosure. Examination can require amendments, argument and oral proceedings; new technical matter cannot be introduced merely to overcome an objection.
Plan the grant stage early
The commercial country list should be revisited before grant. Validation, translations, unitary effect, renewal costs and litigation exposure must be considered together. We also assess whether divisional applications are appropriate while the parent remains pending and whether separate protection is needed outside Europe.
Three practical examples
Illustrative situations; outcomes depend on the facts and the applicable law.
01
A manufacturer sells in Germany, France and the UK: the territorial plan must distinguish EU unitary coverage from UK validation.
02
A broad claim is challenged during examination: supported fallback positions can protect the commercially valuable embodiment.
03
An application describes two product families: we assess a divisional before the procedural opportunity closes.
What to prepare
Priority application, search reports, examination correspondence, target countries, product roadmap and grant-stage budget.
How we approach your matter
01 · Assess
We identify the objective, the relevant rights and the next deadline. Existing documents and the technical or commercial background determine the scope of the review.
02 · Agree
We explain the available routes, material risks and expected stages. The instruction distinguishes professional fees from official charges, translations and external costs.
03 · Act
We carry out the agreed work, report material developments and identify the next decision. Filing, registration or a particular dispute outcome cannot be guaranteed.
Further information
Official guidance relevant to this topic. Individual advice requires a review of the particular documents, facts and deadlines.
International filing strategy · Portfolio review · IP disputes
Discuss the next step
Tell us what you want to protect, the markets involved and any filing, launch or response deadline. We will clarify the scope of the instruction, the documents needed and the basis of the fees before starting the agreed work. Please identify the parties first so that we can check for conflicts and arrange a suitable channel for sensitive technical information.
Hannover headquarters · Advice for German and international businesses · Our offices
Enquire about european patent application
Tell us which invention and European markets your project concerns. If a first application already exists, its number and filing date help us scope the European filing and the next procedural steps. All fields are optional.