From 12 May 2019 onwards, it is possible to request a search report supplemented with a written opinion based on English patent description, claims and drawings

In order to encourage the patent activity of international companies in Hungary and to ensure that the Hungarian patent system offers an attractive option for Hungarian SMEs and university research centers wishing to obtain foreign protection, the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (hereinafter referred to as “HIPO”) has initiated the amendment of certain rules of language use in the patent procedure.

As a result of the amendment of Act XXXIII of 1995 on the protection of inventions by patents, entering into force on 12 May 2019, the former four-months deadline for the submission of the Hungarian translation of an English patent description with claims, abstract and drawings has been extended to twelve months. The applicant thus has the opportunity to continue the proceedings before HIPO with a patent application filed with English annexes until the start of the international (or foreign protection) phase.

According to the new provisions, in case of patent applications filed on and after 12 May 2019, the applicant may request a search report supplemented with a written opinion on the basis of English annexes (description with claims and drawings if applicable). If such a request meets the legal conditions and the fees laid down by law have been paid, HIPO – on the basis of the documents at its disposal on the day of the filing of the request – draws up the report and sends it to the applicant.