Unified patent system - a new era of patent protection in Europe

Launched on 1 June 2023 Mr., unitary patent allows applicants to obtain protection for their inventions in up to 25 EU member states on the basis of filing a single application with the European Patent Office, replacing the need for separate patent validations in each country. In this way, the European patent system becomes simpler and cheaper for inventors to use, enterprises and scientific organizations, since it also provides for the payment of a fee for maintaining the validity of the patent, payable in one currency. The system includes the Unified Patent Court, consisting of judges from participating countries, which rule on infringements and the validity of the unitary and European patent. The system represents a streamlined approach to patent protection in the EU.

Until, 17 countries have joined the system: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland, France, Netherlands and Sweden, with more expected 8 EU member states to join in the future. To 21 February 2024 Mr., the total number of unitary patent applications received are 20 605, as they were received from Bulgaria 13 applications.

More information about the procedure, accompanying the implementation of the unified patent system can be found here.

You can see a video with brief information about the unitary patent here.