Unified Patent Court to start work on June 1, 2023

With the approval of Germany on February 17, 2023, all requirements for the entry into force of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court are fulfilled. The UPC will thus commence its activities on June 01, 2023.

On February 17, 2023, Germany ratified the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA), thus clearing the way for the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and the European patent with unitary effect. As of June 1, 2023, the UPC will rule on the validity of European patents and their infringement in a unified procedure.

So far, 17 EU member states have committed to participating in the European Unitary Patent system. Ten EU member states are expected to participate in the near future. Another ten states in Europe participate in the European Patent Convention, but not in the UPC.

The aim of the new European Unitary Patent System is to further harmonize the patent system in Europe and to sustainably strengthen innovation in Europe.

Further information on the new Unitary Patent System with special focus on the Unitary Patent as well as on the Unitary Patent Court can be found in the “UPC” section of our website. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at upc@boehmert.de.