The London Agreement and the cost of patenting in Europe

Publishing date: 30 September 2008
Authors: Bruno van Pottelsberghe

Download

Bruno van Pottelsberghe analyses the potential consequences of the recently ratified London Agreement, which reduces the patent translation requirements in 15 out of 34 EPC Member States. The simulations suggest that the cumulated costs of patenting have been reduced by 20 to 30 percent thanks to the coming into force of the London Agreement, in May 2008. In nominal terms, the total saving for the business sector is about 220 million. As well as these substantial cost savings, the authors expect an increase in the demand for patents of eight to 12 percent.

About the authors

Bruno van Pottelsberghe

Bruno van Pottelsberghe joined Bruegel as a Senior Resident Fellow in November 2007. His research for Bruegel focuses on the effectiveness of several policy tools (R&D subsidies, R&D tax credits, intellectual property, public research and regulatory policies) aimed at stimulating innovation in Europe.

He was the Chief Economist of the European Patent Office (EPO) from November 2005 to the end of 2007. Since 1999 he has been a professor at the Brussels University (U.L.B.). As holder of the Solvay S.A. Chair of Innovation, he teaches courses related to the economics and management of innovation and intellectual property.

He is also an adviser of the President and the Rector of the U.L.B. for technology transfer issues.