After Montenegro submitted its application to become a contracting party to the EPO on July 15, 2022, Montenegro will become the 39th member state of the European Patent Organization from October 1, 2022.
The cooperation between the European Patent Office and the Republic of Montenegro began in 2007, and since March 1, 2010, it has obtained the extension state and observer status of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Office. It took Montenegro a total of 12 years to join the EPC.
Since then, the European Patent Organization has grown from 7 founding member states in 1977 to 39 member states on October 1, 2022, which has proved to be a successful case of international cooperation and European integration. In the history of the European Patent Organization, Montenegro's membership was considered a milestone.
