Cambodia will soon become a validation state in the European patent system, allowing the 38 members of the European Patent Organisation to apply to validate their patents within the Kingdom. According to an agreement struck between the EPO and Cambodian Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts last month, EPO members will be able to validate their patents in Cambodia beginning March 1.

All patents are viable for validation except those on pharmaceutical products, because Cambodia currently benefits from a World Trade Organisation waiver that allows the government to not grant pharmaceutical patents until 2033. The application fee will be set at $180 per patent, according to an announcement from the president of the EPO released last week.

While Cambodia will begin validating European patents next month, it is not considered a member of the EPO, nor is it an extension-state.