The UPC looks set to open for business at Christmas

The UPC looks set to open for business at Christmas

The statement from the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Preparatory Committee indicating that they are currently working under the assumption that the UPC will become operational in December 2017 follows the shock announcement in November 2016 that the UK will proceed with...
UK exit from the EU

UK exit from the EU

The UK voted on 23 June 2016 to leave the EU. In the short term at least there will be no change with regards to any IP practice within Europe. Importantly no current rights will be lost and all rights, including patents and trade marks, will remain. Whatever the...
Unitary Patent Court – Fees Proposal

Unitary Patent Court – Fees Proposal

Introduction The Court costs for the Unified Patent Court seem significantly higher than those of the UK High Court, with the cost for actions for infringement at €11,000 and revocation actions (including counterclaims) at €20,000. In addition to this, for claims with...
Unitary Patent Court – Fees Proposal

The Unitary Patent System

Questions When will the Unitary Patent System take effect? This is currently unknown. The system will come into force once the UPC Agreement has been ratified by 13 member states, which must include the UK, Germany and France. At present the “best guess” is mid-2016....

Unitary Patent System

The new unitary patents will be granted using the existing European patent application procedure, with the proprietor being able to choose whether to have a unitary patent or a number of national patents on grant. The Unitary Patent System is not currently in force as...