PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Romania

Romania has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since October 06, 1920, and joined the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on July 23, 1979. Additionally, Romania is a signatory of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for Patent Procedures and the Patent Law Treaty. It is also a member of the European Patent Organization.

The deadline for entering the national phase of a PCT application in Romania is 30 months from the priority date.

The official language for Romanian patent applications is Romanian. If the international application is filed in a foreign language, a translation into Romanian must be submitted within two months of entering the PCT national phase.

In Romania, if the 30-month deadline for entering the national phase of a PCT application is not met, there may still be an opportunity to submit a late application within two months after the 30-month period has ended. This is contingent upon paying a fee equivalent to the amount of the fee for filing an pplication for reinstatement.

• Power of Attorney:  The Power of Attorney must be submitted to the Romanian Patent Office either at the time of filing or within 4 months from the filing date of the Romanian patent application, or within 2 months from the date the applicant is notified by the patent office about the missing document, whichever is later. Legalization or notarization is not required.
• Assignment Deed: When the applicant of a Romanian patent application is not the inventor, an assignment deed must be submitted. Legalization or notarization is not necessary, and the deed may be filed within 3 months of the application date.

In Romania, cost exemptions are available for filing patent applications. For international applications entering the national phase, the search fee is eligible for a 50% reduction.

The substantive examination can be requested within 30 months from the date of entry into the PCT national phase in Romania.

The first renewal fee (covering the third year) must be paid one year after the patent grant decision is published. After that, renewals are required each year. If a renewal fee is not paid on time, it can still be submitted within six months of the due date, but a 50% late fee will be charged.

In Romania, the patent term is 20 years from the filing date, contingent upon the payment of maintenance fees. In Romania, Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) are offered to prolong patent protection for certain medicinal and plant protection products, with the option for both national and unitary SPCs.

Romania is ranked 48th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), which evaluates the innovation capabilities of economies around the world. With a GII score of 33.40, Romania excels in areas such as Infrastructure (32nd), Knowledge and technology outputs (38th), and Business sophistication (47th).

Romania has a rich history dating back to ancient Dacia, Romania is known for its medieval castles, notably Bran Castle, often linked to the Dracula legend. It is a member of the European Union and NATO, and its official language is Romanian. The country features diverse landscapes, including the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River, and has a growing economy driven by sectors like IT, automotive, and agriculture. Romania uses the leu (RON) as its currency.