Unitary Patent

Obtaining a European patent usually takes 3–5 years, but the European Patent Office offers ways to accelerate the process, such as fast-track programs and special procedures for international applications.

Vítor Sérgio Moreira explains that faster patent approval can be valuable for protecting new technologies, stopping competitors, or supporting licensing and business deals. However, he cautions that speeding up may also bring risks, such as earlier refusals, narrower protection, or accelerated post-grant costs.

Vítor Palmela Fidalgo, Legal Director of Inventa, Lawyer, and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, has been appointed by the Unified Patent Court (UPC) as the Portuguese representative on the court's Mediation and Arbitration Center.

This new route in the patent system offers a new era of simplified and cost-effective patent protection in Europe.

Take a look at our guide about the Unitary Patent (UP) system and delve into the potential advantages it offers.