Temporarily legislation provides for extension of patent time limits

Such extensions have been made possible by a temporary act, which entered into force last July. The act also provides for a fee reduction relating to late payment of annuity fees.

On the basis of the temporary act, the Dutch Patent Office has decided to provide for a two-month extension relating to five different time limits which, among others, relate to the validation of a European Patent and to the response to formal objections relating to a Dutch patent application.

The temporary law initially applied retroactively to time limits that had fallen due between 12 March and 31 August 2020 but the latter date has now been extended to 30 November 2020. Still further extension is possible.