EPC stands for European Patent Convention. It is a treaty under international law that forms the basis for the European patent system. The EPC was signed in 1973 and regulates the granting of European patents by the European Patent Office (EPO).
The agreement makes it possible to apply for protection in several member states at the same time with just one patent application. It lays down uniform rules for the application procedure, patent examination and the legal effects of a European patent. The aim of the EPC is to simplify and harmonize cross-border patent protection in Europe.
