Botti & Ferrari

EPO – Reduction of the Search fees for a European or an International patent application.The Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation amended Article 2 of the Rules relating to Fees (Rfees) with effect from 1 July 1999, reducing the search fees considerably and capping the total payable in respect of designation fees (which will be deemed paid for all contracting states upon payment of seven times the amount of a contracting state fee). The search fee is reduced from the current EUR 869 to the new amount of EUR 690, while the max. designation fees payable will amount to EUR 532 (EUR 76 x 7). The new version of Article 2 RFees applies only to European and International applications filed as from 1 July 1999.

On March 29, 1999 the Italian Patent and Trademark Office issued the communication No. 406 which amends articles No. 50 of the Italian Trademark law No. 929/42 and No. 67.2 of the Italian Patent law No. 1127/1939. Said articles relate to the recording procedure of the acts and deeds which change the ownership of Italian patents, trademarks, models and designs at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office. According to that amendment, before recording any foreign act and deed of ownership change at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, the relevant original copy must be deposited with an Italian Notary Public who will issue a certified copy. Such a copy will then have to be filed at the Financial Office and, finally, sent to the Italian Patent and Trademark Office. Obviously, the deposit with the Notary Public will considerably increase the whole disbursement normally required in order to carry out the recording procedure.