European patent office has the authority to grant European patents for contracting states. This agreement was signed in Munich on 5 Oct 1973. The agreement was implemented from Oct 7, 1977. European patent office is an executive arm of European patent organization.

European patent organization is an inter-governmental body. Its members are the EPC contracting states. The administrative council watches over its activities. The delegates come from contracting states.

European patent office started three decades ago. Its goal is to optimize European patent system. It makes the system cost-effective. It supports innovation, competition, and economic growth. This is for the good of European citizens.

It works on a centralized procedure. Application is filed in three official languages, namely, English, French, and German.

EPO strengthens cooperation between the European nations. Its goal is to protect the inventions. Single patent grant procedure protects innovations in contracting states.

You have to follow standard rules to govern treatment of patents. European patent office has a staff of 6000 spread in 35 countries. You should designate the contracting states in application. Application date can be extended in the following states: 1] Albania, 2] Croatia 3] Lithuania, 4] Latvia, and 5] Macedonia.

Bilateral agreements have been made with these nations. This is for the protection of the patent, and its extension to these nations. From Oct 1999, European patents have been extended to other nations.