Patents Laws in Andorra
Patent Laws in Andorra
1. Legal Framework
Andorra does not have its own national patent law or a domestic patent office.
Patent protection in Andorra is primarily governed through international treaties and regional agreements.
Andorra is a member of the European Patent Organisation (EPO) since 2013, which means the European Patent Convention (EPC) applies.
2. Patent Protection
European Patent System:
Patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) can be extended to Andorra via a validation procedure after grant.
To obtain patent protection in Andorra, applicants typically file a European patent application designating Andorra as a country for validation.
There is no national patent application procedure in Andorra itself.
3. Enforcement of Patents
Patent enforcement in Andorra is managed under Andorran law relating to industrial property, which recognizes and enforces patents validated via the EPO system.
The Andorran legal system allows patent holders to protect their rights through local courts.
Courts rely heavily on European patent law principles and practices.
4. International Treaties
Andorra is a party to key international agreements, including:
European Patent Convention (EPC)
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
Andorra is not a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), so PCT applications cannot designate Andorra directly.
5. Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| National Patent Law | None |
| Patent Office | None |
| Patent Protection | European patents validated in Andorra |
| Enforcement | Through Andorran courts under local law |
| International Treaties | EPC, Paris Convention |
| PCT Membership | No |
6. Practical Considerations
For patent protection in Andorra, applicants typically pursue a European patent via EPO and validate it for Andorra.
Local enforcement relies on Andorran courts; patent owners should be prepared to engage local legal counsel.
No direct national patent filing route exists.
RELATED Blog
0 comments