Montenegro To Become The Thirty-ninth EPC Contracting State

For some time now, there have been 38 EPC member states. However, from 1 October 2022, Montenegro (ME) will become the 39th EPC contracting state.

Montenegro's journey to becoming an EPC contracting state began in 2009, when Montenegro signed an Agreement to gain status as an Extension State. Montenegro then became an available Extension State on 1 March 2010, meaning that an additional Extension fee had to be paid to designate Montenegro for European (or Euro-PCT) applications filed on or after 1 March 2010. This system is still in effect for any European or International patent application with a filing date from 1 March 2010 to 30 September 2022.

After more than 12 years as an Extension State, Montenegro will soon become a full EPC contracting state, meaning that European or International patent applications filed on or after 1 October 2022 will automatically include Montenegro as a designated state upon payment of the single designation fee (which currently