New rules for paying state fees related to the protection of intellectual property have entered into force in Ukraine (CMU Resolution No. 595). The Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovations (IP Office) has provided official clarifications on how these changes will operate in practice.

The main innovations concern electronic applications and substantial fee reductions for veterans.

1. Electronic Applications Have Become Slightly More Expensive

Previously, a 20% or 25% discount (depending on the type of IP asset) applied to filing documents online. From now on, there is a single, uniform discount of 10%. This means that for the electronic registration of trademarks, inventions, utility models, or industrial designs, applicants must now pay 90% of the full fee amount.

2. Major Incentives for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Special discounts have been introduced for war veterans developing their own businesses:

• A 75% discount (paying only 25% of the total amount) — for filing applications for inventions, utility models, designs (industrial designs), and layout designs of integrated circuits.

• A 50% discount (paying half the price) — for filing applications for trademarks and geographical indications.

Who is eligible for the veteran incentive?

• War veterans registered as Individual Entrepreneurs (FOPs).

• Veterans operating as self-employed individuals (independent professional activity).

• Companies (LLCs, etc.) where 100% of the charter capital or 100% of the enterprise’s members belong exclusively to war veterans.

The UACP will verify this status automatically through the Electronic Register of War Veterans. If the system is offline, it will be sufficient for the applicant to provide a hard-copy extract from this register.

3. Anti-Abuse Protection: Re-selling a Discounted Patent Without Extra Payment Will Not Be Possible

The state will strictly monitor the process to ensure that discounts are not used for fraudulent schemes.

• If you wish to transfer an application to another person (who is not a veteran) or sell an already registered patent/trademark to such a person within 5 years of registration, the difference must be refunded to the state budget.

• You will be required to fully pay back all the funds saved over the last 3 years prior to such a transfer of rights.

4. Important Technical Rules

• Indicate the discount item number in the receipt: If you pay a reduced fee because you qualify for a discount, you are required to state this in the payment description (for example, by specifying: “item 36 of the Procedure”). Failure to do so may result in the payment not being credited.

• Discounts are not cumulative: If you are eligible for several different discounts at the same time (for instance, if you are an individual inventor, a veteran, and you file online simultaneously), the single most favorable discount for you will automatically be selected (the one resulting in the lowest amount due).

The new rules and tariffs apply only to actions and applications for which the obligation to pay arose on or after the date the Resolution entered into force.

Founder of Research & Patent group Intectica, author of patent algorithms for solving problems in the pharmaceutical industry, patent attorney certified in all intellectual property objects (Patents, Design, TM), with education in chemistry and law, chief expert of the patent institution of Ukraine UKRPATENT (1997-2004). Member of international organizations, including ECTA, PTMG, UAM, lecturer and blogger.