The EU AI Act has entered into force in August 2024. In this Newsletter, an overview of the most important things to know for overseas companies and attorneys is provided. The EU AI Act is not directly linked to the patent system, but synergies can be used due to the overlap of the EU AI Act requirements for documentation and transparency and the sufficiency requirements for AI patent applications in Europe.

The European Patent Convention (EPC) allows applicants to obtain a single application through the EPO. Once granted, the patent must be validated in each country where protection is sought by meeting local requirements.

Beyond member states, protection can also be extended to selected non-EPC countries, provided this is requested and the fees are paid during the application process.

The standard Euro-PCT procedure can take up to six years — 31 months for the international phase and another 38 for the European one. However, there are several ways to accelerate the process by shortening or skipping certain steps.

You can apply all available options for maximum time savings or select the ones that fit your strategy best.