On 28 September 2010, the Republic of Hungary deposited its instrument of accession to the Agreement dated 17 October 2000 on the application of Article 65 EPC ("London Agreement", see OJ EPO 2001, 549), which under its Article 6(2) will accordingly enter into force for Hungary on 1 January 2011. The London Agreement will then be in force in sixteen EPC contracting states.

For European patents granted with effect for Hungary on or after 1 January 2011, no Hungarian translation of the European patent specification need be supplied if the patent is granted in English or if an English translation of the patent is supplied in accordance with Article 65(1) EPC; but a Hungarian translation of the claims must always be supplied. However, where no English translation of the patent specification is available, applicants will still have the option of supplying a Hungarian translation. There are no special transitional arrangements.

The new rules also apply to European patents amended in opposition, appeal or limitation proceedings which were granted before 1 January 2011 and amended on or after that date (as mentioned in the European Patent Bulletin).

Further information on the London Agreement may be obtained from the EPO website (www.epo.org).

References: ar65;