A revised system for language-related fee reductions pursuant to Rule 6 EPC was introduced by the EPO on 1 April 2014. Under the previous system, applicants of EPC countries having an official language (admissible-non-EPO language) other than English, French or German were entitled to certain fee reductions irrespective of their size. The revised system is designed to support small applicants by limiting the size of companies eligible for fee reductions. Under the revised system, the reduction is increased from 20% to 30% and applies only to the filing and examination fee, and the applicant must be in one of the following categories:
- small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- natural persons
- non-profit organisations, universities and public research organisations