PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Czech Republic

Since January 01, 1993, the Czech Republic has been a Contracting Party to both the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Additionally, it is a signatory to the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures and the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). The Czech Republic is also a member of the European Patent Organization.

The national phase entry application for the PCT in the Czech Republic must be submitted within 31 months from the priority date.

The official language for patent registration in the Czech Republic is Czech. However, the PCT national phase entry application can be filed in any foreign language. A translation into Czech must be submitted within one month of entering the PCT national phase in the country.

In the Czech Republic, once the 31-month deadline has elapsed, no extension is granted for the late submission of an application.

Power of Attorney: If the applicant files through the patent representative, it is necessary to submit a scanned signed Power of Attorney at the Czech Industrial Property Office. Legalization or notarization of the Power of Attorney is not necessary.

Cost exemption is available for filing a patent application in the Czech Republic, with a 50% reduction in the filing fee if the applicant is also the inventor.

A request for substantive examination must be made within 36 months from the international filing date.

The first renewal fee must be paid within three months from the date the patent is granted. Subsequent renewal fees are due annually on the anniversary of the patent’s filing date. A six-month grace period is available following each due date; however, payments made during this period will incur a 50% surcharge.

In the Czech Republic, a patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date of the application, contingent upon the payment of annual maintenance fees. The Authority issues additional protection certificates for substances covered by a valid patent in the Czech Republic, provided they are active ingredients of products that require registration before being marketed. A Supplementary Protection Certificate (SPC) can extend the patent protection for a product by up to 5 years.

In 2024, the Czech Republic shows a moderate level of innovation, with stronger performance in innovation outputs compared to inputs, and an emphasis on enhancing its innovation procurement policy framework. The country is ranked 30th out of 133 economies in the GII 2024, with a statistical confidence interval for its ranking between 23 and 31. The Czech Republic excels in innovation outputs, ranking 24th, while it ranks 32nd in innovation inputs. The country boasts a robust network of scientific infrastructure, with the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) playing a crucial role in supporting research, experimental development, and innovation.

The Czech Republic, located in Central Europe, is known for its rich history, architectural heritage, and strong industrial base. It has a highly developed economy with strengths in automotive manufacturing, engineering, and technology. The country boasts a well-educated workforce, competitive operating costs, and a stable political and legal environment. Its capital, Prague, is a major cultural and economic hub, attracting both tourists and international investors. Additionally, the Czech Republic is praised for its high quality of life, efficient infrastructure, and strategic location at the crossroads of European trade routes.