1. What is a supplementary protection certificate?

A supplementary protection certificate (SPC) is an industrial property right that extends the term of protection of an active ingredient in a medicinal product (for human or veterinary use) or a plant protection product covered by a patent for a product, a process for obtaining a product or a product application.

The CCP is a national qualification, distinct from the patent. It is an autonomous title which takes effect on the legal expiry date of the patent.

In European Union member countries, CCPs for :

• Medicines are governed by the provisions of règlement (CE) n° 469/2009 ;

• plant protection products are governed...