3.1.7.5.1. Three-month safety period under Rule 13(4) UPR
A Unitary Patent renewal fee that falls due within three months of the notification of the communication referred to in Rule 7(1) UPR (i.e. EPO Form 7030, informing the requester of the date of registration of unitary effect) may be paid within that three-month period without any additional fee under Rule 13(3) UPR (see also Rule 13(4) UPR). This three-month period does not change the start of the six-month additional period for paying the renewal fee with an additional fee (Rule 13(3) UPR). With respect to the date of notification of a communication, the established practice of the EPO applies (see EPC Guidelines, E-II, 2).