Relations between the European Patent Organisation and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia - “Sakpatenti” are Moving to a New Stage

Today, the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee of the Parliament approved at the Committee reading the “Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the European Patent Organisation (EPO) on Validation of European Patents” (Validation Agreement) and the draft amendments to be entered in the Patent Law of Georgia.  

The ratification of the Validation Agreement will complete the negotiations between the European Patent Organisation (EPO) and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia - “Sakpatenti” on validation of European patents on the territory of Georgia, which were launched in 2012. 

The European Patent Organisation (EPO) is a second largest public service organization in Europe. EPO carries out examination of applications to obtain patents for inventions and grants European patents. Its activities are directed to facilitate development of innovations, competitiveness and economic growth in Europe. At present European Patent Organisation has 39 member states, comprising all, 27 member states of the European Union, and also non-EU member states. 

The conclusion of the Validation Agreement with the European Patent Organisation (EPO) will be an important tool for further development of the patent system in Georgia. The above-mentioned Agreement will strengthen the industrial property protection and facilitate fulfillment of the commitments under the Association Agreement between the European Union and Georgia and gradual integration of the economy of Georgia into the European market.

It is noteworthy that validation increases the opportunity of Georgia related to joining the EPO, which subsequently will benefit the country to a greater extent. 

The objective of the amendments to the Patent Law of Georgia is fulfillment of the commitment necessary for entry into force of the Validation Agreement. They are also aimed at harmonization of the Patent Law of Georgia with the European Patent Convention (EPC), the legislation of the EU countries and the international agreement Patent Law Treaty (PLT). 

Currently, it is possible to obtain a patent for an invention in Georgia in two ways: through direct filing of an application with Sakpatenti and by means of filing an international application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in the national phase in Georgia. On the basis of the amendments, the Law will define the third, faster and cheaper way of obtaining a patent for an invention in Georgia – filing a European patent application and requesting its validation in Georgia. This way will simplify for foreign applicants obtaining patent protection in Georgia according to the European standard, which will be a positive signal for investors.