• Patent fees

Fees associated with filing patent applications in Lithuania as well as other patent fees are available in the fee calculator.

• Term for filing a patent application in Lithuania

The term for filing a patent application in Lithuania is 12 months from the priority date. This term may be restored if the application is filed within two months after the deadline.

• Filing requirements in Lithuania

Lithuanian patent applications should be filed in the Lithuanian language. However, it is possible to submit the application in any other foreign language, but the Lithuanian translation should be submitted within three months from the filing date.

To obtain the filing date, it is necessary to provide the patent office with:
- request to grant a patent;
- information about the applicant;
- description and claims;
- drawings (if necessary for understanding the invention);
- priority claim(if any).

The patent office of the Republic of Lithuania may request a certified copy of the Priority Document and its translation into Lithuanian within 16 months from the earliest priority date.

Signed and stamped Power of Attorney (if applicant is a legal entity) or simply signed Power of Attorney (if applicant is a natural person) must be filed within three months from the date of filing.

A document confirming the right to file a patent application and the declaration regarding inventorship should be provided.

• Examination of a Lithuanian patent 

Patent applications in Lithuania are examined as to formal requirements, and it is also checked whether the applied invention is registrable according to the legislation. Substantive examination is not stipulated by the Lithuanian legislation, invention is not checked as to compliance with the criteria of patentability.  Patents are granted at the applicant's liability and may be appealed in a court. The examination fee as well as examination request are not stipulated either.

• Novelty grace period

Disclosure will be disregarded if it occurred within six months prior to the filing or priority date, and:
- the disclosure was an abuse in relation to the inventor or his/her successor in title;
- as a result of the invention’s display at an officially recognised international exhibition.

• Grant, validity term and maintenance fees

The grant fee should be paid within three months from receipt of the official publication notice. Patents in Lithuania are valid for 20 years from the filing date. Annual maintenance fees are paid for pending applications starting from the third year within two last months of the current validity year. Late payment with a 50% surcharge is possible within 6 months after the expiry of patent validity. 

• Duration of registration procedure

On average it takes one or two years to obtain a patent in Lithuania.

• Utility Model

The Lithuanian patent legislation does not provide for utility model protection.

• Representation by a patent attorney

For foreign applicants, it is necessary to perform patent prosecution through an agent, a registered Lithuanian patent attorney.

• Notes

1. Online Search Databases: Lithuanian Patents, European Patents (EPO).
2. Patent protection in Lithuania may also be obtained via registration of a European Patent and its further validation in Lithuania.

Brief summary is based on the information provided by MSP Europe, UAB. on 09.04.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Lithuanian IP Laws