Patents Laws in Hungary
Here’s a clear summary of patent laws in Hungary:
🇭🇺 Patent Laws in Hungary
Governing Laws:
Hungarian Patent Act (Act XXXIII of 1995 on the Protection of Inventions by Patents, last amended 2020)
Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO) — the national patent office responsible for patent applications and enforcement.
🔑 Types of Patents:
National Patent
Filed directly with the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO).
Subject to formal examination and substantive examination.
Patent term: 20 years from filing date.
European Patent (EP)
Hungary is a member of the European Patent Convention (EPC).
You can file a European patent application designating Hungary.
Once granted by the European Patent Office (EPO), it can be validated in Hungary.
Valid as a national patent in Hungary after validation.
20-year patent term applies.
International Applications (PCT)
Hungary is a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
You can file an international patent application and enter the national phase in Hungary within 30 months from priority date.
🧠 Patentability Requirements:
The invention must be:
New (novelty)
Have an inventive step
Be industrially applicable
📑 Application Process:
File application with HIPO or enter Hungary’s national phase from a PCT application.
Formal examination by HIPO.
Substantive examination to assess novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.
Publication of patent application after 18 months.
Grant if all conditions are met.
⏳ Patent Duration:
20 years from the filing date (for national and European patents).
Annual fees must be paid to keep the patent in force.
⚖️ Enforcement:
Patent owners can enforce rights via:
Hungarian courts
Remedies include injunctions, damages, destruction of infringing products.
🌐 International Memberships:
Member of EPC (European Patent Convention)
Member of PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)
Member of the Budapest Treaty on the recognition of deposited microorganisms
Useful Links:
Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO):
European Patent Office (EPO):
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