Confusion Over Europe’s New Unified Patent Court May Deter Defendants, Group Says

The confusing structure of the Unified Patent Court being developed among 25 European nations could confuse potential defendants and deter them from fighting for their intellectual property rights, according to a report from The European Economic and Social Committee, an EU employers and trade unions consultative body.  The report also pointed out apparent confusion about how the issue of language to be used in the proceedings will be handled. The UPC is part of a new EU patent paradigm expected to become operational next year, allowing businesses to obtain unitary patent protection across all participating countries by filing just one application with the European Patent Office. The UPC system would see local, regional and central divisional courts oversee patent cases.