Germany has ratified the Unified Patent Court (UPC) agreement, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of a unified patent system across Europe. This decision has been long-awaited by patent professionals, as it paves the way for the implementation of a single European patent system, which is expected to simplify and reduce the costs of patent protection across Europe.

The ratification of the UPC agreement was announced on February 17th, 2023, by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection of Germany. The ratification by Germany was a crucial step towards the establishment of the UPC, which has been under development for several years.

The UPC is an international court that will have jurisdiction over disputes relating to European patents, including the infringement and validity of such patents. The UPC system will provide a single set of rules and procedures for the enforcement and protection of patents, making it easier for patent holders to protect their intellectual property rights across Europe. The establishment of the UPC system will also have important implications for patent litigation, as it will streamline the litigation process and provide a specialized court with the necessary expertise to handle patent disputes.

Germany's ratification of the UPC agreement triggers the start of the so-called sunrise period on March 1, and the going live of the UPC on June 1, 2023. During the sunrise period, preparatory actions can be taken, like opting our your granted European patents from the jurisdiction of the UPC, as already announced in our earlier newsletters.

Do not hesitate to contact a DenK iP patent attorney if you need assistance. Check our Q&A page for the answer on all your UPC questions!