Budapest Treaty

Quick Facts: Who was Budapest Treaty?

Subject:

Budapest Treaty

Known for:

International treaty recognizing microorganism deposits for patent procedures.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, or Budapest Treaty, is an international treaty signed in Budapest, Hungary, on April 28, 1977. It entered into force on August 19, 1980, and was later amended on September 26, 1980. The treaty is administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Career & Major Achievements

The Budapest Treaty concerns a specific topic in the international patent process: microorganisms. All states party to the Treaty are obliged to recognize microorganisms deposited as a part of the patent procedure, irrespective of where the depository authority is located. In practice this means that the requirement to submit microorganisms to each and every national authority in which patent protection is sought no longer exists.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As of January 2026, 92 countries are party to the Budapest Treaty. The accession to the Treaty is open to States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1883: 1883 Milestone — The accession to the Treaty is open to States party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 1883.
2. 1977: 1977 Milestone — The Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure, or Budapest Treaty, is an international treaty signed in Budapest, Hungary, on April 28, 1977.
3. 1980: 1980 Milestone — It entered into force on August 19, 1980, and was later amended on September 26, 1980.
4. 2026: 2026 Milestone — As of January 2026, 92 countries are party to the Budapest Treaty.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Budapest Treaty

True or False: “True or False: Before the Budapest Treaty, a patent applicant seeking protection in multiple countries had to submit biological samples to every single national patent authority.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This is true; the treaty's primary function was to eliminate this burdensome requirement by establishing mutual recognition of deposits.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada — Historical peer (Died in 1977) (1977): Pioneering global spread of Krishna consciousness teachings and the Hare Krishna mantra.
• A Certain Ratio — Historical peer (Born in 1977) (1977): English post-punk band known for blending funk, disco, and Latin percussion.
• Abby Wambach — Historical peer (Born in 1980) (1980): Iconic American soccer forward, celebrated for her goal-scoring prowess and longevity.
• Adande Thorne — Historical peer (Born in 1980) (1980): Trinidadian-American YouTuber, animator, comedian, and actor known as Swoozie.
• Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Yemeni politician who served as the second President of Yemen from 2012 to 2022.
• Abdullah Ibrahim — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Pianist and composer, considered the leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz.
• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Born in 1883) (1883): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri — Historical peer (Died in 1883) (1883): Algerian religious and military leader who resisted French colonization for 17 years.

Frequently Asked Questions about Budapest Treaty