PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Armenia

Armenia has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) since December 25, 1991. Additionally, it is a signatory to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). Armenia is also a member of the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO). Through these commitments, Armenia has aligned its patent laws with the highest international standards, demonstrating the country's steadfast dedication to supporting and participating in the global intellectual property ecosystem.

Armenia's accession to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 1993 marked a significant milestone in its path toward global integration. By depositing its instrument of accession, Armenia not only embraced WIPO's regulations but also gained access to a range of international agreements, notably the PCT. This strategic move solidified Armenia's role as a key player in the world of intellectual property and emphasized its commitment to fostering and advancing global innovation.

Armenia's patent system operates under the Law on Patents, which has undergone substantial revisions to align with international norms and address the evolving needs of innovators. As a member of the Paris Convention, PCT, and EAPO, Armenia offers its inventors access to both regional and international patent systems, further enhancing its position in the global intellectual property landscape.

The deadline to enter the national phase in Armenia is 31 months from the priority date, and this period cannot be extended or reinstated.

The application for obtaining a patent (short-term patent) is submitted in Armenian. If the application is to be filed in another language, a translation into Armenian must be submitted. This translation must be provided within three months from the filing date.

The 31-month deadline for filing a PCT national phase application in Armenia is absolute and cannot be extended under any circumstances. Once this deadline has passed, the opportunity to enter the national phase in Armenia is permanently lost. This strict policy highlights the importance of adhering to the timeline to ensure the protection of intellectual property within Armenia.

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application in Armenia includes:

• Certified Copy of the Priority Document: The certified copy of the priority document must be provided within 3 months from the filing date.

• Power of Attorney: The Power of Attorney must be submitted to the Armenian Patent Office either at the time of filing or within 3 months from the filing date. There is no requirement for notarization or legalization of the POA.

Extension of time for late filing of above formal documents can be applied for an additional period of 3 months with penalty.

In Armenia, a generous system of fee reductions has been implemented to foster innovation and support smaller businesses. Individuals and legal entities with fewer than 25 employees can enjoy an impressive 75% discount on national fees associated with obtaining and maintaining patents, including short-term patents. This substantial reduction significantly lowers the cost of intellectual property protection, making it more accessible to smaller enterprises and individual inventors. For legal entities with between 25 and 100 employees, a 50% reduction in these fees remains available, further promoting patent protection. These initiatives underscore Armenia's dedication to creating a supportive environment for innovation at all levels.

The application is subject to both formal and substantive examinations. The short-term patent is issued at an applicant's responsibility. A patent may be issued on the basis of the positive results of a substantive examination carried out by the Patent Office of another country, which should be submitted within 5 years from the filing date of an Armenian application.

Renewal fees are paid for each subsequent year until the end of the current year of operation. The renewal fee can be paid even after the end of the specified period, within six months. In this case, the amount of the renewal fee is increased by 50 percent. Renewal fees are paid from the second year of license validity.

An invention patent is valid for 20 years, calculated from the date of application. Whereas, a short-term invention patent is valid for 10 years, calculated from the date of application.

Particularities of patent protection in Armenia Patent Term Extension is available for pharmaceutical and agrochemical patents, extending the 20-year patent protection term up to further 5 years in exceptional circumstances. A similar extension is possible for certain patents referring to preparations, substances or components required for their production and their production methods. An application for extension should be filed within 6 months upon patent grant.

The statistical confidence interval for Armenia’s position in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII) falls between ranks 56 and 67. In terms of innovation, Armenia shows stronger performance in outputs than inputs this year. Specifically, Armenia ranks 79th in innovation inputs for 2024, marking an improvement from its ranking in the previous year.

Armenia is rapidly establishing itself as a regional hub for innovation, with significant advancements in technology, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. The Armenian law now permits the patenting of computer algorithms and software, provided they meet the established criteria of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.

The Armenian Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) has implemented comprehensive substantive examinations for patent applications. Applicants can opt for a “short-term” patent with a 10-year validity without examination or request a full examination for a standard 20-year patent, with a 5-year period to request the full examination.

AIPO now accepts patent and industrial design applications that include 3D models alongside traditional drawings, enhancing the precision and clarity of submissions.