Communication note in respect of fees payable to the CPVO and e-Services.

Two important amendments of Commission regulations will come into force as from the 1st January 2009

1. Last June 2008 the European Commission amended Regulation (EC) No 1238/95 as regards the level of the annual fee and the fees relating to technical examinations payable to the Community Plant Variety Office and the manner of payment.
   The level of the annual fee and the fees relating to technical examinations payable to the Community Plant Variety Office will be increased as from the 1st January 2009. The annual fee will be restored to 300€, the level applicable in 2004 and in 2005, and the examination fees will cover in average about 85% of the effective examination costs (see list annexed). A list of all species with related cost groups and fees will soon be available on the CPVO web site.
   The amendment has also introduced the possibility for breeders to pay the fees by payment cards.
2. Last April 2008 the European Commission amended Regulation (EC) No 1239/2008 as regards the use of electronic means in communication in proceedings before the Community Plant Variety Office.
   This amendment will allow the CPVO to introduce a number of e-services including the possibility for breeders to file applications in electronic format online and to make payments online as well. Such services will be added to the present services but will not exclude persons from filing applications and others documents to the Office in paper format should they so wish.
   The launch of e-services is a consequence of the customer satisfaction survey made in 2004 in which a majority of clients reacted positively to online services proposed to simplify CPVO procedures.
   This amendment will be applicable as from 1 January 2009 and some new e-services will be available on the CPVO web site in 2009.

source: CPVO www.cpvo.fr