EPO and UPC sign agreement on data exchange
Photo by Johan Liénard
Today, the EPO and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) signed an agreement on the exchange of data between the two institutions. The agreement provides the legal basis for facilitating the exchange of data between the EPO's European Patent Register and the UPC's Register, as well as for possible operational support from the EPO for the UPC's training framework.
EPO President António Campinos and President of the UPC's Court of Appeal Klaus Grabinski signed the agreement on the fringes of a high-level conference in Brussels dedicated to the Unitary Patent system and jointly organised by the Belgian government, the EPO and the European Commission.
The agreement will be an important element in establishing the UPC's user-friendly case management system. Mr Campinos said: "The EPO is proud to support the UPC in establishing a truly IT-driven, unified patent judiciary." Mr Grabinski stated: "The UPC is pleased to cooperate with the EPO in the necessary exchange of register data and in the training for UPC judges."
The UPC is a dedicated court for the enforcement of both "classic" European patents and Unitary Patents. It will hear cases related to infringement and the validity of the patents granted by the EPO. Today's agreement will take effect with the entry into operation of the UPC Agreement, which is expected as of 1 April 2023.
Further information:
Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court
Related items
Lively exchange of views on SMEs, our Observatory, the Unitary Patent and more
The EPO will accelerate opposition proceedings if informed of parallel infringement or revocation proceedings before the UPC or a national court
Europe’s most experienced judges and lawyers in patent matters take stock of the first few months of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in action.
Meeting discussed uptake of the Unitary Patent, finances and communication.
Requests for unitary effect come from applicants in many countries and across all technology sectors.
Distinguished European speakers hail a new era for innovation in Europe.
European Patent Register releases data about first European patents with requests for unitary effect.
The Unitary Patent system enters into operation.
Future collaboration to strengthen European and global innovation networks.
Serving users with a supplementary edition of the OJ
Working arrangement covers data sharing and cooperation activities
Germany has deposited its instrument of UPCA ratification.
Share your input before 10 March and help steer the Observatory’s key topics, tools and activities.
Unitary Patent transition period starts 1 January 2023, and forms for requesting the measures offered may be submitted as of that day
Revised timeline published by the Unified Patent Court, but starting date of the EPO transitional measures remains unchanged.
More than 1 000 participants attend high-level conference in Brussels.
Supporting the early uptake of the Unitary Patent
The Unitary Patent system: A game-changer for innovation in Europe
The Unified Patent Court (UPC) presents list of its 85 judges