Who is the competent authority for patent applications in the Netherlands?

20 years, and the protection of pesticide or pharmaceutical patents can be extended to 25 years.

4 months

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
• EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."

yes

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.

The novelty grace period is 6 months from the filing date/priority date.

• Licensing Fee: None.
• Annuity: After the patent is granted, the annual fee shall be paid year by year starting from the fourth year of the application date. The annual fee can be postponed and paid within 6 months after the expiration date at the latest, but a 50% penalty must be paid at the same time.

Netherlands Ministry of Commerce

English: Netherlands Patent Office, Abbreviation: RVO

Website: www.rvo.nl/octrooien

Dutch invention patent search: Zoeken in octrooien (rvo.nl)