Fees

Annuities: The annuities (annual fees) required for a patent application or for maintaining a patent are paid in advance into the Office's account on their due date every year throughout the term of protection, without any notification from the Office being required, and the original bank receipt is sent to the Office. The due date is the month and day corresponding to the filing date. If annuities are not paid on the due date, they may be paid late within the six months following the due date, together with an additional fee set in the schedule of fees. If annuities are not paid within these periods, the patent right lapses as of the last payment date of that fee.