Obtaining a patent in France: the examination and grant procedure

Understanding the various key stages in the patent examination and grant procedure is important for all applicants. In France, the INPI, as the competent office, accompanies the applicant or his representative from the filing of a French patent application to the granting of the patent.

The applicant's representative is usually an industrial property attorney. However, it can also be a lawyer specialized in intellectual property.

The "Pacte" law n°2019-486 of May 22, 2019, relating to the growth and transformation of companies, has brought major reforms to industrial property law, notably with the introduction of the criterion of inventive step in the examination of patent applications, resulting in a considerable strengthening of the examination and grant procedure for a French patent application.

This fact sheet will help you understand the key stages between the filing of a French patent application and its grant by INPI.