Unified Patent Court

The UPC is a court common to currently seventeen EU Member States, in which the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) is in force. The UPCA can be ratified by any of the other seven EU Member States which have signed it at any time. Furthermore, any of the remaining EU Member States could still accede to it anytime. The UPC offers a uniform, specialised, and efficient framework for patent litigation at a European level. It hears both infringement and revocation actions. The Court has exclusive jurisdiction in respect of classic European patents and European patents with unitary effect (Unitary Patents). The exclusive jurisdiction regarding classic European patents is, however, subject to exceptions during a transitional period of seven years. The Court comprises a Court of First Instance, a Court of Appeal, and a Registry. In addition a Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre is foreseen to foster amicable settlements. The Court is composed of judges from all over Europe...