Europe’s Unified Patent Court expected to be operational in December

The Court’s provisional operations are expected to start in September

Europe’s Unified Patent Court expected to be operational in December
Europe’s Unified Patent Court, which will cover 25 countries in the region, has announced that it expects to be operational in December.

In an announcement, the Preparatory Committee said that it is now working under the presumption that the Provisional Application Phase will start at the end of spring, presumably in May.

It expects that the agreement establishing the court can enter into force and the court itself will become operational in December. The court has its seat in Paris and major sections in London and Munich.

The Provisional Application Phase also marks the start of operation of the Unified Patent Court’s formal governing bodies, which means that judicial interviews can begin and appointments can start to be confirmed.

The committee also said that the start of the sunrise-period for the possibility to opt out European patents is now planned for early September, providing a minimum of three months for patent holders who wish to opt out their patents to do so before the Court becomes operational.

Nonetheless, it warns that the timetable is dependent on a number of factors.

The necessary ratifications of the UPCA and accession to the Protocol on Provisional Application are most important to the timeline, the committee said.

“If these are not achieved the time-plan will be disrupted,” the committee stressed, adding its final committee meeting is scheduled for early March.
 

Related stories:
Rubik’s cube loses major trademark in EU case
Quinn Emanuel scores over WilmerHale as Samsung beats Apple in the US Supreme Court
 

Recent articles & video

London law firm penalized for lapses in anti-money laundering training for its staff

Report reveals South Korea faces persistent gender gap in the legal profession

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Piper Alderman, Holding Redlich recognised in 2025 Best Lawyers Australia

Far West Regional Law Soc roundtable focuses on access to justice

American Bar Association president Mary Smith calls for action as threats against judges surge

Most Read Articles

Nine promoted to partner at HSF's Australia branch

Brisbane BTR project kicks off with Ashurst's help

K&L Gates lures JWS M&A partner

KWM pitches in on $3.5bn raising for Kinetic