The maintenance fees (annuities) are due from the 2nd one (before the last working day of the month of the anniversary date of the filing in France).

For French patents, annuities are due even before the granting.

For French part of European patents, annuities are due in France after the granting of the European patent.

We send you reminders approximately three months before the due date.

The omission can be repaired if the renewal fee is paid during an additionnal grace period of 6 months. This period starts from the first day of the month following the anniversary month of the filing of the application. (e.g: for a date at the 31st of March, the grace period runs from the 1st of April to the 1st of October). The French Office usually sends a notification of warning before forfeiture approximately four months before the end of the grace period.

If the renewal fee remains unpaid at the end of the grace period, the French Office sends a decision constating forfeiture, approximately 2 months after the end of the grace period.