Unitary Patent & Unified Patent Court
A better patent system for Europe
The Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court are the building blocks which will supplement and strengthen the existing centralised European patent granting system. They will offer users of the patent system a cost-effective option for patent protection and dispute settlement across Europe.
Unitary Patent
Unitary Patents will make it possible to get patent protection in up to 25 EU Member States by submitting a single request to the EPO, making the procedure simpler and more cost effective for applicants.
When will it start?
The start of the new system is expected in the spring of 2023.
Unified Patent Court
The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is an international court set up by participating EU Member States to deal with the infringement and validity of both Unitary Patents and European patents, putting an end to costly parallel litigation and enhancing legal certainty.
Materials & recordings
Access presentations and videos from previous events
Events & training
Register for forthcoming seminars and courses
Updates
- 4.7.2022
EPO met UPC governing bodies’ representatives - 29.4.2022
Updated version of the Unitary Patent Guide available - 29.4.2022
Unitary Patent secondary legislation - 2.3.2022
UPC holds Administrative Committee meeting - 8.2.2022
Final preparations for the start of the Unitary Patent - 19.1.2022
Provisional application of the UPCA to start - 3.12.2021
Austria finalises parliamentary ratification procedure concerning the Protocol to the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court on provisional application - 13.7.2021
German Court decision paves the way for implementation of Unitary Patent and UPC