For US Companies · EPO & UPC Representative
European Patent Attorney for US Companies
More than 50 EPO prosecution matters over 10+ years, handled directly by an EQE-qualified European Patent Attorney with a technical focus in physics, electronics and ICT.
Response within one business day · No obligation
About Karel Bauer
Who you are actually hiring.
Karel Bauer combines a verified EPO prosecution track record with technical training and a separately stated qualification to represent before the UPC.
- EPO track record
- More than 50 EPO prosecution matters handled across more than 10 years of European patent practice.
- Qualification & technology
- European Qualifying Examination (EQE); physics background with a focus on physics, electronics and ICT.
- UPC qualification
- UPC representative, supported by a CEIPI diploma in Patent Litigation and the European Patent Litigation Certificate from ERA and Maastricht University.
Verifiable credentials: EPO Official Journal entry · LinkedIn profile
Built for US clients
Why US companies work with a European Patent Attorney directly.
European prosecution is not a translation exercise. Added matter, problem-solution analysis, technical effect and the structure of allowable claim amendments require an EPO-specific strategy from the outset.
Working directly means the same attorney reviews your US specification, analyses the claims, speaks with your technical team and prepares the EPO response. The reasoning is not passed from a relationship partner to a separate drafter.
US in-house counsel, general counsel and founders typically bring me in for PCT regional phase entry, tough EPO office actions, opposition against a blocking European patent, and UPC opt-in / opt-out decisions.
How European practice actually differs from what your US firm is used to — examination style, claim interpretation, no discovery, no damages before the EPO — is covered in the EPO vs USPTO practice guide.
- →50+ EPO prosecution matters over more than 10 years
- →One attorney analyses the claims and prepares the response
- →EQE-qualified, with a physics, electronics and ICT focus
- →US business-hour overlap for calls and deadlines
- →UPC qualification stated separately from prosecution experience
Understanding the role
What is a European Patent Attorney (and how they differ from a US patent attorney)
A European Patent Attorney is a professional representative entered on the official list maintained by the European Patent Office. That registration — gained after the European Qualifying Examination (EQE) — gives the right to represent applicants directly before the EPO in filing, examination, opposition and appeal proceedings.
It is a regulated title, not a generic job description. In everyday language people sometimes say “patent lawyer” or “patent counsel”, but the EPO-registered professional who can actually act for you at the EPO is a European Patent Attorney.
UPC representation is a separate post-grant qualification. I am a registered UPC representative on the basis of advanced patent-litigation training; this should not be confused with the EPO prosecution track record described on this page.
More on the distinction: Patent attorney vs patent lawyer: what EU inventors need to know.
| Topic | European Patent Attorney | US patent attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | EPO list of professional representatives (EQE) | USPTO registered practitioner |
| Where they can act | EPO and national EP validations; UPC where separately qualified | USPTO only (not EPO) |
| Typical role | Draft EP claims, respond to EPO office actions, conduct oppositions and UPC cases | Draft US applications, respond to USPTO actions, US litigation support |
| How they usually work with US firms | Engaged directly by US companies or instructed as foreign associate by US counsel | Often instructs European counsel for EP/UPC matters |
When to hire European counsel
Situations where a European Patent Attorney pays for itself.
- 01You are preparing to enter Europe through PCT and need a real EPO strategy — not a copy of your US file.
- 02You've received an EPO examination report and the objections are getting sharper.
- 03A competitor's European patent is blocking you, and the 9-month opposition window is still open.
- 04You need to validate a granted European patent across multiple states — including the Unitary Patent option.
- 05You're weighing UPC opt-in vs opt-out for an existing portfolio.
Deadlines & timing
The deadlines that decide whether you still have options.
European patent practice runs on hard deadlines. These are the ones US clients most often need to calendar — several of them cannot be extended.
| Milestone | Deadline | Extension possible? |
|---|---|---|
| PCT regional-phase entry before the EPO | 31 months from the priority date | No — a missed entry ends the PCT route in Europe |
| Response to an EPO examination report | Typically 4 months from notification | Yes — usually extendable on request |
| Opposition against a granted EP patent | 9 months from publication of the mention of grant | No — strictly enforced |
| Response to an opposition (patentee) | 4 months from notification | Yes — on request, within limits |
| Request for Unitary Patent effect | 1 month from publication of the mention of grant | No — strictly enforced |
| Appeal to the EPO Boards of Appeal | 2 months to file, 4 months for grounds | No |
| My reply to your enquiry or matter review | One business day | — |
Facing the 9-month opposition window as a patent owner — on either side? EPO opposition: what a US patent owner needs to know walks through the timeline, the steps and the costs.
Services
What a European Patent Attorney does for you.
EPO filing & PCT regional phase
Claim strategy adapted for European examination from the start — not translated at the last minute.
European prosecution
Direct handling of examination reports, amendments and oral proceedings before the EPO.
EPO opposition (attack & defence)
Central challenges within 9 months of grant — often the most cost-effective way to clear a blocking patent.
UPC representation
Representation before the Unified Patent Court, plus opt-in / opt-out strategy for existing EP portfolios.
European validation & Unitary Patent
Post-grant validation strategy across national offices and the Unitary Patent — cost-optimised for your markets.
Freedom-to-operate & portfolio review
Practical FTO opinions and portfolio triage for founders, CTOs and in-house IP counsel.
Scope, process & fees
How an engagement with me actually runs.
This is the engagement side of the practice — what I take on, how a matter moves, and what each stage costs. The technical overview of the European patent system lives on the European patents page.
What I take on — and what I don’t
- →EPO work: direct EP filings, PCT regional-phase entry, examination, oral proceedings, opposition and appeal.
- →Post-grant: Unitary Patent requests, validation coordination, renewals oversight, UPC opt-out filings.
- →Advisory: freedom-to-operate reads on European rights, pre-filing review of US specifications, portfolio pruning.
- →Not taken on: US prosecution, litigation before national civil courts other than UPC representation, and trade secret or contract disputes.
The process, step by step
1. Intake call (30 minutes, no charge)
You describe the matter and deadlines; I confirm whether European rights are still available and what the clock looks like.
2. Written scope and fee estimate
Within one business day you get a stage-by-stage estimate — official fees separated from attorney fees — plus a conflict check.
3. Filing or entry
I review the US specification for European fallback positions before filing, then file or enter the regional phase and confirm the receipt to your docket.
4. Prosecution
Each EPO communication is reported in a short English memo with a recommendation, a cost, and a deadline — not a forwarded PDF.
5. Grant, validation and renewals
We decide Unitary Patent versus national validation on your commercial footprint, and set the renewal and UPC opt-out plan.
Indicative attorney fees by stage
Ranges below are attorney fees only, in EUR, excluding official EPO fees. Every matter is quoted in writing before work starts.
| Stage | Indicative attorney fee |
|---|---|
| PCT regional-phase entry / direct EP filing | €2,500 – €5,000 |
| Pre-filing review of a US specification | €900 – €1,800 |
| Response to an EPO examination report | €1,500 – €4,000 per round |
| Oral proceedings (examination) | €6,000 – €12,000 |
| EPO opposition to first-instance decision | €15,000 – €40,000 |
| Unitary Patent request / validation coordination | €700 – €2,500 |
| UPC opt-out filing (per family) | €250 – €600 |
Official EPO fees are set out separately in the European patent cost guide and modelled year by year in the EPO renewal fees hub.
Technology fields
Physics, electronics and ICT matters handled personally.
A physics background means the technical argument in an EPO examination report is answered directly, without a translation layer between your engineers and your European attorney.
Photonics & optics
Lasers, imaging systems, optical metrology, fibre and integrated optics.
Semiconductors & electronics
Device structures, fabrication processes, circuits and power electronics.
Sensors & measurement
Sensing principles, calibration methods and instrumentation.
Materials & chemistry-adjacent tech
Coatings, composites, thin films and materials processing.
Mechanical & medical devices
Precision mechanics, manufacturing equipment and device engineering.
Software with technical effect
Control, signal processing and computer-implemented inventions under EPO Art. 52 practice.
Handling an examination report right now? See EPO office action response for US applicants.
Credentials
Qualified. Technical. Direct.
- — 50+ EPO prosecution matters across more than 10 years
- — European Patent Attorney qualified through the EQE
- — Physics, electronics and ICT technical focus
- — UPC representative: CEIPI Patent Litigation diploma and ERA/Maastricht certificate
- — Direct communication with inventors, engineers and founders
Learn more
Guides on European patents & EPO practice.
In-depth articles covering the decisions you'll face — from choosing counsel and filing costs to validation, UPC and hiring triggers.
EPO vs USPTO: How European Patent Practice Differs
Claim interpretation, inventive step, no discovery, no damages — what changes when your case moves from the USPTO to the EPO.
Read the guide →EPO Opposition: What a US Patent Owner Needs to Know
The 9-month window, the steps, the costs and the strategy — whether you are defending your EP patent or clearing a competitor's.
Read the guide →How to Choose a European Patent Attorney (2026 Guide)
What actually matters when picking European counsel — qualifications, technical fit, UPC eligibility.
Read the guide →European Patent vs Unitary Patent: Which Should You File?
Classic EP validation, Unitary Patent, or both — a decision framework by market and budget.
Read the guide →European Patent Cost 2026: EPO vs Unitary Patent Fees
Official fees, attorney fees, renewals and three worked cost examples from filing to grant.
Read the guide →Freedom to Operate (FTO) in Europe: Why, When and How Much (2026)
What an FTO study covers, why US companies need it before launching in Europe, and cost ranges for patent, trademark and design clearance.
Read the guide →Does a US Patent Protect You in Europe?
No — and here are the filing deadlines, EPO vs USPTO differences and costs that follow from that.
Read the guide →Patent Attorney vs Patent Lawyer: What EU Inventors Need to Know
Who can represent you before the EPO, national courts, and the UPC — and when each matters.
Read the guide →EPO Filing Process Explained Step by Step
From priority to grant: search, examination, oral proceedings and validation.
Read the guide →Validating a European Patent in Germany, France & the UK
National validation requirements, translation rules and cost-cutting strategies after grant.
Read the guide →How US Startups File a European Patent from the US
PCT vs direct EP, priority timing, and how to prepare a US-drafted application for European examination.
Read the guide →When to Hire a European Patent Attorney: 7 Signs You're Ready
Practical triggers — PCT deadlines, examination reports, opposition windows and UPC decisions.
Read the guide →
Free tools and single-issue pages: EPO renewal fees and annuity calculator, European patent validation costs by country and responding to an EPO office action.
FAQ
European Patent Attorney — common questions.
- What is a European Patent Attorney?
- A European Patent Attorney is a professional entered on the list maintained by the European Patent Office, entitled to represent applicants before the EPO in filing, prosecution and opposition proceedings. Many are also representatives before the Unified Patent Court.
- Do I need a European Patent Attorney if I already have US counsel?
- Yes. Only European Patent Attorneys can represent applicants before the EPO. European examination and claim practice differ substantially from the US, so having dedicated European counsel from the start protects scope and avoids late, expensive rework.
- Can you represent us before the Unified Patent Court?
- I am entered as a UPC representative, supported by a CEIPI diploma in Patent Litigation and the European Patent Litigation Certificate from ERA and Maastricht University. This is a professional qualification; it is stated separately from my EPO prosecution track record.
- How much does a European Patent Attorney cost?
- Fees depend on the stage — filing, examination, opposition or UPC litigation. For a specific matter I quote transparently; see the cost breakdown post below for typical ranges.
- Do you work with US companies directly?
- Yes. US companies, in-house counsel and US patent firms can instruct me directly for PCT regional-phase entry, direct EP filings and EPO prosecution.
- Can a US patent attorney file at the EPO for us instead?
- No. Only a qualified European Patent Attorney (or equivalent professional representative on the EPO list) can represent an applicant before the EPO. US firms typically instruct a European attorney as foreign associate — you can also engage one directly and remove the extra layer.
- How do European patent costs compare for US applicants?
- For a typical PCT regional phase entry, expect official EPO fees plus attorney work through examination, followed by validation and renewals. The total depends on claim count, examination complexity and selected validation states; see the stage-by-stage guide below.
- How do time zones and communication work?
- I schedule calls in US business hours (typically morning ET / afternoon CET) and respond to email within one business day. EPO deadlines are handled on European time so nothing slips.
- Which technology fields do you handle?
- Physics-based and engineering subject matter: photonics and optics, semiconductors and electronics, measurement and sensor technology, materials, mechanical engineering, medical devices and software-implemented inventions with a technical effect.
- How long does a European patent take from filing to grant?
- Typically three to five years from the EP filing or regional-phase entry date, depending on the technical field and how many examination rounds are needed. PACE accelerated examination can shorten this significantly where a business reason exists.
- Should our US company opt out of the UPC?
- It depends on portfolio value, litigation risk appetite, and where your competitors sit. Opt-out avoids central revocation but forfeits central enforcement. I review existing EP portfolios and recommend opt-in / opt-out per family — see the UPC opt-out guide for the framework.
Ready to speak with a European Patent Attorney?
Send me the basics of your matter — filing plan, examination report, opposition notice or UPC question — and I'll come back within one business day.
What do you need help with?
Prefer to just email?
Prefer an overview first? See the European patents service page. Instructing on behalf of a client as a US firm? See foreign associate services for US firms.