Amid Brexit, the UPC, and digital disruption, one recent change in Ireland’s patent system risks flying under the radar: the new search cooperation agreement between the IPOI and EPO[1]. Effective from 1 July 2025, this agreement allows eligible Irish applicants to access high-quality EPO search reports and written opinions at a significantly lower cost. These reports are valuable because they provide early, authoritative insight into whether an invention is likely to be patentable, improving the value of Irish first filings by linking them to one of the world’s most respected patent search authorities.
Ireland’s Patent Landscape and Challenges
In 2022, only 89 full-term Irish patent applications were filed[3], reflecting the recent shift in preference towards direct European or international patent routes through the EPO or PCT. This is in contrast to the early 2000s, when over 500 were filed in 2001[4].
Key Benefits and Features
The agreement introduces an exciting opportunity for eligible Irish applicants, including micro-entities, SMEs, universities, individual inventors, and public research organisations, to avail of a search report and written opinion from the EPO through the IPOI. Under this scheme, which will operate as a pilot programme until December 2026, the applicants can benefit from these services at an 80% discount.
According to communications from IPOI, a maximum of five applications per year from an individual applicant may be selected by the IPOI for EPO search, while up to ten applications annually from micro-entities, universities, research centres, and non-profit organisations may be eligible for EPO.
This agreement is expected to motivate eligible Irish applicants to file first in Ireland, allowing them to gain valuable prior art insights before deciding on longer term IP strategy.
There is currently no mechanism for applicants to request that the search of their application be carried out by the EPO. The Office will determine which search authority (IPOI or EPO) will process requests for search reports. Therefore, the agreement comes with some unpredictability of whether an application will receive an EPO search.
A New Chapter for Irish IP Filings?
So what does this mean for Irish innovators?
- Lower costs for accessing world-class patent searches
- Potentially stronger early-stage IP strategies
- A chance to revive the role of Irish national filings
The IPOI–EPO cooperation marks a shift that could change how Irish national patent filings are viewed and used. For IP practitioners and stakeholders, this change could help broaden the role of Irish national filings.
While applicants cannot currently request that their application be searched by the EPO, the agreement could still create new momentum around the national filing route. Irish patent attorneys may begin to see national filings in a slightly different light, particularly where cost or early feedback is a consideration.
The patent system landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. Filings have been shifting toward more centralised authorities such as the EPO, which may be accelerated due to developments like the Unitary Patent and the UPC. Whether this marks a renaissance for Irish national filings remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly strengthens the toolkit available to Irish innovators.
References: [1] IPOI signs working agreement on search co-operation with EPO – IPOI
[2] Global Innovation Index 2024 – GII 2024 results