COSTA RICA – Validation of European patents
The European Patent Office and the Costa Rican Minister of Justice of Peace have just announced that they have signed an agreement allowing European patents to be validated in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is the first country in Latin America to sign such an agreement, and will join Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Cambodia, Georgia and Laos as validation partners of the EPO. The news marks a significant step in strengthening intellectual property protection and fostering innovation and investment in Latin America.
Once the validation agreement comes into force in Costa Rica (the date of implementation has not yet been announced), the proprietor of a European patent will be able to request the validation of their granted patent in Costa Rica upon payment of a validation fee. European patents validated in Costa Rica will have the same legal effect there as Costa Rican national applications, and will be subject to Costa Rican patent law.
If you have any questions on the above, please do not hesitate to contact us.