Filing new European Patents through the Intellectual Property Office
European patents are granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) under the European Patent Convention (EPC). The Intellectual Property Office is a receiving office for European Patents. You can file a European Patent with the Intellectual Property Office in 3 way:
- by post
- by facsimile
- on-line filing
The application is allocated an EP Number and filing date before being securely despatched to the EPO.
Any fees are forwarded directly to the EPO.
You can find information about how to apply for a European patent in the brochure: “European Patent under Grant procedure”. You can obtain this from:
Information
Centre
Room
1.L02,
Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff
Road
Newport
South
Wales
NP10
8QQ
United Kingdom
Telephone
(outside the United Kingdom): +44(0)1633 814000
Telephone (within the United Kingdom):
0300 300 2000
Visit the European Patent
Office website 
for further information.
Filing Translations
Since the London Agreement (professional section) came into force on 1 May 2008, European Patents will automatically grant in the UK without the need to file a translation or Form 54. You may want to file a Form 51 to update the address for service.
Two instances when a Form 54 needs to be filed is if you wish to file the claims of an application for a European patent (UK) prior to grant or for the correction of any previously filed translation.
For further information contact :
Phil Jones
International
Filings Unit
01633 814933