Grant certificates at the EPO go digital

The EPO has announced that from 1 April 2022 patent grant certificates will be communicated electronically to representatives and proprietors, provided they have an EPO Mailbox.

The electronically issued certificates for European patents will be a digital colour document. The certificates will have a new design and will include:

• the patent number
• the name and address of the patent proprietor (if there is more than one proprietor it shall mention each of them by name)
• the title of the invention
• the date of publication of the mention of the grant in the European Patent Bulletin

In addition, certificates will certify that the patent has been granted in respect of the invention described and the states designated in the patent specification to the persons named.

Digital certificates will reduce the need for physical storage space and are easier to locate than their paper counterparts, also resulting in less paper usage and lower emissions from the transport of letters.

HGF will begin to forward grant certificates electronically from 1 April 2022 and welcome this change which will contribute to sustainability goals.

If you have any questions, please contact your usual HGF attorney.