Europe

France

Patent system, trademark registration, annuity management, and renewals in France.

Authority

INPI France

PCT

30 mo

Madrid

Member

Bases Brevets INPI

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Before You Start

Before filing or quoting, you'll typically confirm these first

1
Whether to pursue the Paris route, PCT national phase, or start with trademark registration in France
2
Which of patent filing, trademark registration, annuity, or renewal is the most urgent priority
3
Whether to verify the official portal, search system, and key deadlines before moving to a quote or engagement

The sections below cover each module — use the navigation to jump directly to what you need.

Patent System & Process

Patent System in France

French patents are administered by INPI France. A unique feature of France is that domestic patents undergo **no substantive examination** (only formal examination and a search report), resulting in faster grant (~18–24 months) but lower certainty of validity. Applicants may also pursue European Patents via EPO (with French validation) or enter France via PCT national or EPO regional phase. France participates in the Unitary Patent (UP) and UPC system.

French National Patent: No Substantive Examination ▾

This is the most important feature of the French patent system: **INPI France does NOT conduct substantive examination of domestic patent applications.** French national patent examination process: 1. Formal examination (format and completeness check) 2. Novelty search report (prepared by INPI or delegated to EPO) 3. Search report published (but INPI does NOT use it as a basis to reject or grant) 4. Grant (granted if formal requirements are met) **Implications:** - Fast grant (~18–24 months) - Lower certainty of validity (validity can be challenged in infringement proceedings or invalidity actions based on novelty/inventive step) - Patent holders must assess validity risk if they receive a negative search report **vs. EPO route:** EPO European Patents go through rigorous substantive examination — stronger rights but typically 3–5 years to grant.

Source: France Intellectual Property Code (CPI) L. 612-12; INPI guidelines

EPO Route (European Patent + French Validation) ▾

For patent protection in France (and other European countries) supported by substantive examination, the EPO route (European Patent, filed in French, English, or German) with subsequent French validation is more common. **EPO Validation in France:** - Must be completed within 3 months after EPO grant - If the original language is not French, a French translation (at minimum the claims, plus the description) must be filed with INPI - Post-validation, effect equals a French national patent **Unitary Patent (UP):** France participates in the UPC/UP system. Patent holders can request Unitary Effect to cover France and all other participating states with one annual fee.

Source: EPC Art. 65; French CPI; INPI validation guidelines

PCT National Phase Entry — France (and EPO Regional Phase) ▾

- Direct national phase (INPI France): deadline **30 months** from priority date; must be in French - EPO regional phase: deadline **31 months** (more commonly used route) - Direct French national phase still has no substantive examination; EPO regional phase follows full EPC substantive examination

Source: WIPO PCT Applicant's Guide — FR/EP; France CPI

Annual Fees ▾

French national patent (INPI) annual fees start from year 1 of the filing date (first-year fee paid with the application); continue annually until expiry (20 years). A grace period for late payment applies with a surcharge.

Source: France CPI; INPI fee schedule

DAS Support ▾

INPI France participates in WIPO DAS, supporting electronic transmission of priority documents.

Source: WIPO DAS; INPI France DAS procedures

Trademark System & Process

Trademark System in France

French trademark protection is available via two paths: French national trademark (INPI France, France only) or EU Trademark (EUTM, via EUIPO, covering all 27 EU member states). France is a key member of the Madrid Agreement and Protocol. French trademark registrations are valid for 10 years, renewable indefinitely. INPI France examines both absolute and relative grounds (unlike EUIPO, which only examines absolute grounds).

French Trademark Protection Paths ▾

**French National Trademark (INPI France):** - Valid in France only - Filed in French - Examination: absolute and relative grounds (searches earlier rights) - Requires French address or authorized representative **EU Trademark (EUTM, via EUIPO):** - One application covers all 27 EU member states (including France) - Only absolute grounds examined (earlier mark owners must file opposition themselves) - More cost-effective for brands targeting the broader EU market

Source: France CPI; EUTM Regulation (EU) 2017/1001

Madrid System (Founding Member Since 1892) ▾

France is a founding member of the Madrid Agreement (1892). International applications can designate France for national trademark protection. INPI France examines Madrid designations under French national trademark law (including relative grounds).

Source: WIPO Madrid — FR; France CPI

Term and Renewal ▾

French national trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from the filing date, renewable in 10-year increments. File renewal within 6 months before expiry (a 6-month post-expiry grace period applies). No proof of use required for renewal (but 5 consecutive years of non-use creates revocation risk).

Source: France CPI Art. L. 712-9

Non-Use Revocation (5 Years) ▾

French trademarks (and EUTMs) can be revoked for 5 consecutive years of non-use after registration. The registrant must provide proof of genuine use in France (for EUTMs, genuine use in the EU). A legitimate reason for non-use may constitute a defense.

Source: France CPI Art. L. 714-5; EUTM Regulation Art. 58

Patent Annuity

France Patent Annuities

French national patent (INPI) annual fees: from year 1 (filed with application), annually until expiry (20 years). EPO European Patents follow EPC rules; after French validation, subsequent French renewal fees are paid to INPI (or centrally to EPO under the UP framework).

Source: France CPI; INPI France fee schedule

Annuity Reference → Managed Annuities

Trademark Renewal

France Trademark Renewals

French national trademark: 10 years from filing; 10-year renewal. File within 6 months before expiry; 6-month post-expiry grace period. No proof of use required; 5 consecutive years non-use creates revocation risk.

Source: France CPI Art. L. 712-9, L. 714-5

Renewal Reference → Managed Renewals

FAQ

Common Questions — France IP

What does it mean that French national patents have no substantive examination? ▾

INPI France only formally examines applications and produces a search report — it does NOT use the search report to decide whether to grant. The patent is granted as long as formal requirements are met. This means: fast grant (~18–24 months), but lower validity certainty (much easier to challenge the patent on novelty/inventive step grounds in litigation). For high-value inventions, the EPO route (with substantive examination) is recommended for stronger rights.

Should I file a French national patent with INPI or via the EPO? ▾

For high-value, core technology inventions: EPO route (substantive examination yields stronger rights; multi-country coverage is more efficient). For fast protection credentials with strategic flexibility: INPI direct filing (~18–24 months; lower validity certainty). For multi-country European coverage: EPO route (or Unitary Patent). The two paths can be combined (e.g., initial INPI filing to establish priority, then PCT/EPO for broad protection).

Should I get a French national trademark or an EU Trademark (EUTM)? ▾

EUTM (one application, all 27 EU members including France) is more cost-effective for brands targeting the EU market. French national trademark is suitable for: locally-focused French businesses; fallback when EUTM is blocked by a conflicting earlier right in one member state. Note: INPI France examines relative grounds (earlier marks), while EUIPO does NOT proactively examine relative grounds (earlier mark owners must file oppositions themselves).

What is the PCT national phase deadline for France? ▾

Direct INPI France national phase: 30 months from priority date (must be in French). EPO regional phase (more commonly used; covers France and other European countries): 31 months from priority date.

How long is French trademark protection and what are renewal requirements? ▾

10 years from filing date; renewable every 10 years. File renewal within 6 months before expiry (6-month post-expiry grace period). No proof of use required for renewal (but 5 consecutive years of non-use after registration creates revocation risk).

Official Reference Sources

Sources for This Page

INPI France Official Website www.inpi.fr Bases Brevets Patent Search bases-brevets.inpi.fr/ INPI Trademark Database data.inpi.fr/marques European Patent Office (EPO) www.epo.org EUIPO euipo.europa.eu WIPO Madrid — FR Member Info www.wipo.int/madrid/en/members/

Content based on official sources above, last reviewed: 2026-04. In case of discrepancy with the latest official publications, official sources prevail.

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