Unitary Patent & Unified Patent Court 2014

Description

"The latest proposals for a single patent and unified patent court for EU Member States have seen a recent surge of activity, but does that mean the UP&UPC will go ahead?

Since the Unified Patent Court Agreement has been signed, the path is now cleared for the most part, for the new European patent system, yet much work remains to be done towards its full implementation. In addition to drafting the final rules of procedure, planning budgets and fees, building a cross-border ICT-system to support case management and electronic filing of submissions, establishing the central registry, selection of facilities for court hearings, appointment and training of judges and advocating the industry, the compatibility between the unitary patent and the ""Brussels"" regulation has to be ensured.

While it is too early to predict the success of the Unitary Patent scheme before it has been implemented, a well-functioning Unitary Patent, backed up by a strong Unified Patent Court would present companies with a multitude of benefits: enhanced single market dimension of the EU and harmonized system that boost inventions and attract business."