UP Patents

Under the Unitary Patent scheme, patents are granted by the European Patent Office following the usual examination procedures outlined in the European Patent Convention. Upon grant, the patent proprietor may request unitary effect within a limited time frame.

• Requirements: The applicant must first secure a European patent from the EPO, then submit a request for unitary effect to obtain uniform coverage in participating EU states.
• Renewal Period: A Unitary Patent remains in force for up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to annual renewal fees payable to the EPO.
• Examination: The EPO conducts both formal and substantive examinations of European patent applications; once granted, the single request for unitary effect replaces the need for individual national validations.
• Member State Implications: Infringement and revocation proceedings are addressed before the Unified Patent Court, which holds jurisdiction across member states that ratified the UPC Agreement.