The government of the Republic of San Marino deposited its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 21 April and is set to become the EPO's 36th member state on 1 July.

European patent applications filed on or after this date will include the designation of the new contracting state, but it will not be possible to designate San Marino retroactively in applications filed beforehand.

The EPO can, however, accord applications filed in June the filing date of 1 July upon the applicant's request.

Nationals of and residents in San Marino will also be able to file applications under the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) with the EPO from 1 July.

More information concerning the effects of the accession will be published in the Official Journal over the coming months.

（Source：EPO）

2009-5-8