By decree dated April 2, 2007, of the Ministry for Economic Development
in conjunction with the Ministry for the Economy and Finance,
published in Official Gazette no. 81 of April 6, 2007, the provisions
of the 2007 Finance Law which introduced duties, in lieu of the
abolished government registration taxes, on Patents have been
implemented with effect from 2007.
The aforementioned decree provides for the payment of maintenance
duties for patents (including European Patents with effect in
Italy) from the fifth year onwards whilst for utility models,
designs and models the first payment is that due in the second
five year validity period.
Amounts are payable by the last day of the anniversary month
in which filing was made, or by the last day of the subsequent
six months with late payment fee. If these deadlines fall on a
Saturday, Sunday or National Holiday, the deadline will be extended
to the next working day when the Offices are open.
Amounts are also payable within four months from the date of
grant of the Patent or Utility Model or from the date of registration
of the design or model, or in the subsequent six months with late
payment fee, for eventual duties payable until that date. In the
latter case, however, the deadline does not coincide with the
last day of the month but with the period of four months (or six
months with late payment fee) from the day after that on which
it was granted.
