This decree, published on 30 June 2026, amended 35 articles of the French Intellectual Property Code and came into force almost immediately on 2 July 2026.
The main consequence of the simplification introduced by this decree is the end of paper-based notifications, with the aim of fully digitising procedures, particularly patent procedures. Notifications will therefore now be made exclusively in electronic format. There will no longer be any paper-based patent or certificate of utility fascicule, and titles granted will therefore be issued exclusively in electronic format.
The deadline for submitting third-party observations for certificate of utility applications has also been amended. Previously, it was possible to submit such third-party observations until the granting and printing fee had been paid. These third-party observations must now be submitted no later than three months from the publication of the certificate of utility application.
It should be noted that this decree has also amended the eligibility criteria for the reduction in official fees for small entities. To qualify for this reduction for SMEs, it was previously necessary to be an SME with fewer than 1,000 employees, where no more than 25 per cent of the share capital is held by an entity that does not meet the conditions for this reduction. The INPI has now aligned the criteria for SMEs with European standards, and an SME must now have fewer than 250 employees and no more than 25 per cent of its capital held by another entity that does not meet the same condition. The INPI has also removed the requirement for the applicant to file a ‘small entity’ declaration, so that the declaration made in the application for grant is sufficient, with no need to file an additional written declaration.