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

Allens assists Seraya Partners with landmark acquisition of ASX lister

Law Council of Australia, ACT Bar call out underfunding in legal aid sector

NSW Law Soc, LexisNexis team up on AI Glossary

Report recommends US federal courts award monetary damages for workplace misconduct

Report highlights racial challenges faced by South Asian partners in the UK

Michael Best & Friedrich enters California market by absorbing Los Angeles law firm

Most Read Articles

Revealing the top influencers in Australia’s legal profession for 2024

HSF helps consortium wth Ulinda Park BESS project financing

Federal Court fines employer for failing to issue payslips

Lander & Rogers brings in digital economy practice head