European Patents will be Recognized in Georgia

The Parliament approved the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the European Patent Organisation on Validation of European Patents (Validation Agreement).

By the ratification of the Validation Agreement, the negotiations were completed on validation of European patents on the territory of Georgia, launched between the European Patent Organisation and the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia - “Sakpatenti” in 2012.

The European Patent Organisation (EPOrg) is a second largest public service organization in Europe, which unites 39 member states, comprising all, 27 member states of the European Union and also non-EU member states.

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. It is noteworthy that validation increases the opportunity of Georgia to join the European Patent Organisation.

At present, a patent for an invention in Georgia can be obtained 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. As a result of validation, the third, faster and cheaper way of obtaining a patent for an invention in Georgia will become available – by requesting validation of a European patent application in Georgia. The above-mentioned will simplify for foreign applicants obtaining patent protection in Georgia according to the European standard, which will be a positive signal for investors.