Accelerated examination path for Hungarian patent applications

The time required to obtain a patent in Hungary depends largely on the subject matter of the patent. Generally speaking, patents in the pharmaceutical field take longer to be granted, while patents in information technology are granted in a shorter time. In general, the average time for patents to be granted in Hungary is about 4 years.

The cost of patent grant proceedings at the Hungarian Intellectual Property Office (HIPO) varies depending on the circumstances (e.g. the language of the patent documents submitted to the HIPO and the request for an accelerated novelty search) and is approximately EUR 500 to EUR 800.

What procedures are available to expedite patent examination?

• HIPO provides the possibility of an accelerated novelty search. In general, HIPO will issue a novelty search report with a written opinion within 6 months from the date the applicant submits the novelty search request. However, HIPO can, upon the applicant's request, issue an expedited novelty search report within 2 months from the date the applicant submits the novelty search request. The request for accelerated examination must be submitted together with the request for a novelty search report, and a doubled search fee must be paid at the same time.
• PPH request: Since October 12, 2015, HIPO and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) have signed a PPH bilateral agreement, which can speed up the patent examination process.