Understanding France’s Patent Fee Reduction Scheme for Small Entities

Patent filing in France for SMEs

France offers a well-structured official fee reduction program administered by the Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle (INPI) that allows qualified applicants—such as natural persons, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and non-profit research or educational institutions—to reduce the costs associated with patent applications. This incentive is particularly valuable for innovators and SMEs looking to manage intellectual property budgets efficiently.

1. Who Qualifies as a Small Entity in France?

Under the INPI framework, fee reductions apply to three categories of applicants:

• Natural Persons: Individual inventors filing in their own name.
• Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Companies with fewer than 1,000 employees, and where no more than 25% of the capital is held by an entity that does not meet the same SME criteria.
• Non-Profit Organizations: Institutions operating in education or research sectors.

Applicants falling under the SME or non-profit categories must submit a written request for fee reduction to the Chief Executive Officer of the INPI within 1 month from the patent filing date. Failure to meet this deadline renders the request inadmissible. The submission must include a **declaration confirming eligibility** under one of these categories.

• Important:

  • A false declaration can result in an administrative fine of up to ten times the amount of the unpaid or underpaid fees.

2. Scope and Extent of the Fee Reductions

The French fee reduction covers several key cost components throughout the patent lifecycle:

However, no reductions apply to:

• European patents validated in France, or
• Annuities from the 8th year onward

All applicants seeking this benefit must file a signed declaration within 1 month of the filing date. Once this deadline passes, the entity status (small or large) cannot be modified.

3. Financial Impact and Practical Considerations

According to professional practice estimates, small-entity status can lead to an average savings of approximately €400 for a standard patent filing compared to regular fee rates.

Before filing a reduction request, applicants are strongly advised to:

• Assess the potential financial implications of non-compliance.
• Engage a local French IP counsel if necessary, to confirm eligibility—bearing in mind that consultation costs may offset part of the expected savings.

4. Key Administrative Notes

Data validity: The most recent official version of these rules was collected on April 10, 2020 and remains valid unless superseded by new legislation.

Responsibility disclaimer: INPI and related agents do not verify the applicant’s qualification for fee reduction; the applicant bears full responsibility for accuracy.

Change of status: If the applicant’s structure or shareholding changes during the patent term, the applicant must notify the INPI immediately to ensure continued compliance.

Liability limitation: Service providers will follow client instructions for renewal payments but are not liable for any right loss due to false declarations or missed deadlines.

5. Strategic Insights for International and Chinese Applicants

Foreign entities are eligible to benefit from this reduction as long as they meet INPI’s small-entity criteria. The policy does not require French residency or local incorporation.

However, practical success depends on timely and accurate filing through a local representative. Applicants are encouraged to:

1. Prepare supporting evidence (employee count, shareholding structure, and non-profit registration proof) before filing.
2. Ensure the declaration is lodged within the strict 1-month deadline.
3. Avoid using this mechanism for European patents validated in France, as these are excluded from the reduction scheme.

France’s small-entity fee reduction system provides meaningful financial relief for individual inventors, SMEs, and non-profit institutions, reinforcing the country’s commitment to encouraging innovation and research. Yet, strict procedural rules apply: the declaration must be timely, accurate, and fully documented. For international applicants, especially those from China, leveraging this opportunity can significantly reduce patenting costs—if handled correctly within the legal timeframe.