The Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court

The planned introduction of the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court (UPC) will represent the most significant change to patent law in Europe since the signing of the European Patent Convention in 1973, and possibly the most significant change to patent enforcement in Europe ever.

To help you better understand the changes ahead, we have developed answers to frequently asked questions:

1. What are the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court in Europe? Introduction and Benefits
2. Practical aspects, including timelines, costs and mechanisms for obtaining a Unitary Patent
3. The Jurisdiction of the Unified Patent Court
4. Structure and Procedure of the Unified Patent Court
5. Transitional provisions and opt-out
6. What will happen to the Unified Patent Court when the UK leaves the EU?
7. What do I need to do in preparation for the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court?
8. Agreements and Licencing considerations in view of UP an UPC
9. Is double patenting possible under the new regime? 

Keep visiting this hub for updates on progress towards introduction of the new system and advice on preparatory steps to be taken in advance.

Latest articles

Unified Patent Court one step away from reality following UK ratification POSTED 28 April 2018
BREXIT: EC publishes position paper on IPRs POSTED 12 September 2017
Opting out of the UPC POSTED 20 June 2017
UPC update POSTED 14 June 2017
Delaying European patent grant to enable applicants to obtain a unitary patent POSTED 27 March 2017
What does the UK Government’s Brexit white paper tell us about the future of IP in the UK? POSTED 2 February 2017
UK Government confirms ratification of the Unified Patent Court Agreement POSTED 29 November 2016
Legal Opinion on the UK’s participation in the UPC after Brexit POSTED 30 September 2016
Brexit: what now for the Unified Patent Court? POSTED 17 August 2016
Action required before the UPC goes live POSTED 1 June 2016

Guides

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Reports

The Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court in Europe

 

POSTED 24 March 2017

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