Norway is set to become a member of the European Patent Organisation on 1 January 2008, according to a decision taken by parliament this week.

In its session on 11 June the parliament voted to ratify and accede to the European Patent Convention (EPC).

As a participant and signatory at the 1973 Munich diplomatic conference, the Scandinavian country has been entitled to join since the EPO was founded. It is the only participant that has not yet become a member of the Organisation.

Norway intends to deposit the instruments of ratification with the German government in October, in accordance with the rules set out in the EPC, and it is expected to become a member at the start of 2008.

European Patent Office