The Unitary Patent (UP) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC)

A new system for protecting and enforcing patents in Europe has started from June 1, 2023. This new system includes the Unitary Patent (UP) and the Unified Patent Court (UPC). 

UP, a European patent with unitary effect, provides protection in participating EU countries by submitting a single request to the EPO. The UPC is a one-stop shop for enforcing patents (both Unitary Patents and European Patents) instead of enforcing by means of several parallel proceedings in the participating EU countries. 

This new system will introduce unprecedented changes to the way patents are protected and litigated in Europe.

In the following, we summarize for you some key information on the UPC and UP system, and along the way, address how these may have implications in your patent filing and litigation strategies.