•  Annual fees for patents/utility models in Russia (PCT, non-PCT)

Letters Patent granted in Russia should be kept in force by paying annual maintenance fees.

Patents for inventions are valid for 20 years from the filing date. The validity term cannot be extended over this period other than for patents protecting pharmaceuticals, pesticides or agricultural chemicals. These categories of patents can be prolonged by not more than 5 years. The patent right is effective from the date the patent is published in the Patent Gazette.

In Russia, annual fees for patents are paid for the third and each subsequent year from the filing date. Subsequent annual maintenance fees are paid in advance before the anniversary of the filing date.

If the first annuity has already become due and the patent is not yet granted, annual fees are paid alongside fees for grant and registration within two months from issuance of the grant decision.

In case the term for payment of the annuity has been missed, the payment may still be effected within 6 months after the due date provided that a 50% surcharge is paid.

Annual fees payable in respect of a PCT application entering national phase in Russia are due for the third and each subsequent year from the international filing date. The payment procedure as well as the term for late payment is the same as for national patents in Russia.

The term of a utility model patent in Russia is 10 years from the filing date. The method of annuities payment is the same as for invention patents; however, annual fees for utility models become due on the first year from the filing date. The rate of the annual fee increases every two years.

• Industrial design patents renewal in Russia

The maximum term of an industrial design patent in Russia is 25 years from the filing date.

In Russia, the method of renewals payment for the industrial design patents varies based on when the application has been filed. 

For applications filed before January 1, 2015, the term of an industrial design patent is 15 years from the filing date and can be extended by 10 years. The annual fees for industrial design patents are paid for the third and each subsequent year from the filing date. Subsequent annual maintenance fees are paid in advance before the anniversary of the filing date.

If the first annuity has already become due and the design is not yet granted, annual fees are paid alongside fees for grant and registration within two months from issuance of the grant decision.

For applications filed after January 1, 2015, the term of an industrial design patent is 5 years from the filing date and can be extended by 5 years up to 25 years. The renewal fees are paid for the periods of 5 years. The renewal fee for the next five-year period should be paid in advance during the last year of the current five-year validity term.

The term for payment of the missed fee alongside late surcharge is 6 months after the due date. The amount of the surcharge is 50% of the original fee.

• Trademark renewal in Russia

The validity term of a trademark in Russia is ten years from the filing date. After expiration of the initial ten-year period, it is possible to renew a trademark for further ten years upon payment of the renewal fee. The fee should be paid during the last year of the current trademark validity term. Grace period for late payment is six months after the expiration of the ten-year validity term. A surcharge of 50% applies in case of the late payment.

• Restoration for patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks in Russia

In Russia, reinstatement of a lapsed trademark is not possible.

Patents invalidated for non-payment of annuities can be reinstated within three years after the expiration of the term set for payment. The request for reinstatement should be filed by the patent holder before the maximum patent validity term expires.