Unitary Patent System Enters Into Force Today

The entry into force of the Unitary Patent system today marks a historic step in the completion of the Internal Market and leads the way to a new era for the protection of innovations in Europe.

As of today, users can file for a single Unitary patent - a European patent with unitary effect - through a single procedure, pay a single renewal fee in a single currency, and litigate under a single legal system before the Unified Patent Court (UPC). The UPC, which also commences its operations today, makes a centralised litigation system for patents a reality and allows users to file cases at the European level.

Access to the Unitary Patent remains open to all EU member states. So far, seventeen states –Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden – have joined, with additional EU member states anticipated to participate in the future. The new system is expected to stimulate research, development and investment in innovation, helping to boost growth in the EU.  

European Patent Office (EPO) will host a virtual ceremony at 15:00 CET, “A Welcome to the Unitary Patent” to celebrate this historic moment