How to Use the EPO Open Patent Services MCP in Claude

Q: Can I use the EPO Open Patent Services on Claude Desktop to verify if a patent is still active?

Yes. The getpatentlegalstatus tool pulls the official legal events directly from the EPO registry. Your agent reads this data to tell you if the patent has lapsed or remains in force.

Q: What configuration is required for the EPO Open Patent Services MCP Server in Claude Desktop?

You add the MCP Server configuration to your claudedesktopconfig.json file with your API credentials. Once saved, the hammer icon appears, and you can start running patent searches.

Get raw patent data and legal status updates directly in Claude Desktop without leaving your chat window.

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Connect EPO Open Patent Services MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect EPO Open Patent Services to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup EPO Open Patent Services with Claude Desktop

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Query global patents using Claude Desktop

The `search_epo_patents` tool lets your agent query the European Patent Office database using precise CQL syntax. You don't need to manually log into web portals or copy-paste text between windows. Your agent executes the query, pulls the relevant matches, and formats the hits directly in your chat. This MCP Server handles the raw connection to the EPO Open Patent Services endpoint. It turns structured search queries into clean JSON payloads so your agent can immediately parse the results. You get the exact document numbers and titles you need to start your prior art analysis.

Pull complete bibliographic metadata

The `get_patent_bibliographic` tool retrieves the full publication history, inventor names, and classifications for any document ID. Your agent reads the raw XML mapping from the EPO database and extracts the exact dates and assignees. This replaces manual lookups on slow public registries. By running this via an MCP Server, Claude Desktop acts as a local data processor. The agent compares the retrieved metadata against your internal project files, identifying overlapping classifications in seconds. You get the raw facts without any marketing spin.

Audit current legal status instantly

The `get_patent_legal_status` tool checks the current registry to see if a patent is active, expired, or lapsed. Your agent queries the live EPO database to pull the event history for any specific application. This prevents you from relying on stale PDF reports or outdated third-party databases. You also have the `check_api_status` tool to verify the EPO server is online before you run large batch audits. This direct connection ensures you base your legal assessments on the absolute latest official records.

Setup guide

Set up EPO Open Patent Services MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The EPO Open Patent Services MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the EPO Open Patent Services MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under epo-open-patent-services-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "epo-open-patent-services-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by EPO Open Patent Services. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about EPO Open Patent Services MCP in Claude Desktop

Type your query in plain English or CQL syntax directly in the chat. Claude Desktop uses the `search_epo_patents` tool to query the live database and returns the matching patent documents immediately.

Yes. The `get_patent_legal_status` tool pulls the official legal events directly from the EPO registry. Your agent reads this data to tell you if the patent has lapsed or remains in force.

You add the MCP Server configuration to your `claude_desktop_config.json` file with your API credentials. Once saved, the hammer icon appears, and you can start running patent searches.

The server communicates directly with the EPO API and respects their weekly traffic limits. If you hit a limit, the `check_api_status` tool helps verify if the service is throttling or temporarily down.

Your search queries and document IDs go directly to the EPO Open Patent Services endpoints via a secure V8 sandbox. Vinkius does not log or store the patent numbers or bibliographic metadata you retrieve.

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