How many countries are part of the EPO?

38 member states
The EPO currently has 38 member states, comprising all the member states of the European Union together with Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey.

Is the UK part of the EPO?

Since the UK is now not part of the EU, provisions were made for providing corresponding rights in the UK after Brexit. Unlike the EUIPO, the EPO was formed by a separate treaty by the Contracting States to the European Patent Convention. There is hope that sometime soon the EU will implement the Unitary Patent System.

Is the EPO part of the EU?

The European Patent Office (EPO) is established under the European Patent Convention (EPC) which is an international treaty independent of the EU. Moreover, UK professional representatives and legal practitioners will continue representing their clients in proceedings before the EPO.

Is the Netherlands part of the EPO?

There are, as of April 2019, 38 Contracting States to the EPC, also called member states of the European Patent Organisation: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania.

Is Spain part of EPO?

The following states (sorted alphabetically) are currently members of the European Patent Organisation….Member states.

Code	Member state	Since
ES	Spain	1 October 1986
FI	Finland	1 March 1996
FR	France	7 October 1977
GB	United Kingdom	7 October 1977

Is Switzerland part of EPO?

The EPO was set up in 1977 on the basis of the European Patent Convention (EPC). It currently comprises 38 member states, including EU countries, EFTA states, Switzerland and Turkey. Switzerland is one of the founding members of the EPO.