26th Feb 2019
What has happened to the UPC?
Unitary patent: we provide an overview of the current status of the UPC system and what we might expect to happen in the coming year.
Insights: Unitary Patent regime
27th Apr 2018
The UK Ratifies the UPC
The UK government yesterday announced that they had ratified the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court. This means that we are just waiting for German ratification, and then the Unified Patent Court, and with it the granting of Unitary Patents across Europe, can begin.
18th Aug 2017
The EPO publishes the first Unitary Patent Guide
Steve Howe provides an overview of the contents of the EPO’s guide to obtaining, maintaining and managing Unitary Patents.
23rd Jun 2017
UPC delayed further
Aidan Robson reports a challenge to the Unified Patent Agreement launched in the German constitutional court and its likely effect on the UPC timetable.
8th Jun 2017
Commencement of UPC is delayed
The previously announced target date for the entry into operation of the UPC, envisaged for December 2017, is now officially abandoned.
28th Apr 2017
Will the UK General Election affect the Unified Patent Court timetable?
The UK will hold a General Election on 8 June. This may have the effect of delaying the commencement of the Unified Patent Court, as Aidan Robson explains.
20th Mar 2017
Opting out of the Unified Patent Court
What is the effect of opting out of the Unified Patent Court, and when will you be able to opt out your patents?
14th Mar 2017
What comes first – Brexit or the Unitary Patent?
The UK’s Brexit Bill has cleared its last hurdle, but according to the current timetable the first Unitary Patents will issue before the UK leaves the EU.
After years of effort to implement a satisfactory unitary patent system in Europe, it appears likely that unitary patents and a Unified Patent Court could become a reality in the near future.
We have prepared factsheets on key topics relating to the unitary patent regime. A video presentation is also available.
Factsheets
Key Facts About the Unitary Patent – A short introduction to what a unitary patent is, its relationship to the existing European patent system, and how you will be able to apply for one.
The European Unitary Patent – The geographical coverage of the unitary patent system.
The Unified Patent Court – An overview of the system in which European patents with unitary effect will be litigated, and how the language of the proceedings will be determined.
Translation Requirements for the Unitary Patent – An explanation of the requirements for translations to be provided to the patent office and in the case of disputes.
Video
A Presentation and Update on the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court (July 2013)