By the end of April 2025, a new Online Filing application will be launched. This application makes applying for patents easier and faster, reducing hassle. No more smartcards, but secure login with two-step verification. Many patent agents found smartcards inconvenient, says Pepijn Duif, advisor of Processes and Systems at the Netherlands Patent Office. The cards didnt always work and there were frequent authorization issues. Thats a thing of the past now.
Pepijn Duif, advisor of Processes and Systems at the Netherlands Patent Office
On January 23, the Netherlands Patent Office started a pilot of the new Online Filing application. This changes the way patent applications have been filed for 20 years. Three patent agent offices tested the system, and the results were promising, says Pepijn Duif, who is closely involved with the pilot. The pilot provided valuable insights and improvement points, which will be implemented in the coming weeks. The PCT route - important for international patent applications - will also be added. If the final testing phase goes well, the new application will be available by the end of April.
Why a new system?
You probably remember how you used to file your taxes. Download software, fill in forms, and send them. Thats how the old patent filing system eOLF worked too, says Duif. And in addition, a smartcard from the European Patent Office (EPO) was needed. Thats outdated.
Another advantage is that the Netherlands Patent Office has the software under its own control, allowing them to implement changes more quickly. We couldnt fix errors or ambiguities ourselves before. Now we can. English-language forms have also been added; handy for international applicants. We can now also develop entirely new forms.
What does this mean for you as an entrepreneur?
Patents protect your innovation, help with investments, and strengthen your market position. Thanks to the new application, the filing process is smoother and faster. That means less hassle and more time to grow your business.
Collaboration in the Benelux and with the EPO
The new Online Filing application is a Benelux collaboration. Each country has its own version, tailored to national patent legislation, but with the same look & feel. We work with many different stakeholders, such as lawyers, advisors, and IT specialists, to optimize the system, says Duif. With the EPO and the affiliated countries, the group of stakeholders has been further expanded. Thanks to this collaboration, we have arrived at a better and more user-friendly system.
Want to know more?
At the Netherlands Patent Office, part of RVO, we help entrepreneurs protect their innovations. With the new tool, filing a patent application becomes simpler and future-proof. Want to know more about patents and how to strategically use them? Contact us!