In Short
The Situation: Provisions of the Action Plan
for the Growth and Transformation of Enterprises Act ("PACTE
Act") concerning the newly created provisional patent
application and the strengthening of the utility certificate are
entering into force in France.
The Result: Utility certificates now have a
duration of 10 years and may be converted into patents. Applicants
will be able to file provisional patent applications beginning July
1, 2020.
Looking Ahead: The creation of a provisional
patent application and the evolution of the utility certificate are
among several important changes brought by the PACTE Act to French
patent law in an effort to strengthen and modernize the French
patent system. More changes, including the possibility of filing
oppositions against patents granted by the French Patent Office,
are still to come.