The Central Staff Committee of the European Patent Office supports the initiative of important European companies who’ve requested to do something about declining patent quality at the EPO. In a publication, the committee wrote it ‘is ready to contribute actively and constructively (…) respond to external criticism and put quality back on the EPO’s agenda’….
At 09:00 CET on 1 March 2023, the three month sunrise period for the Unified Patent Court began. Whilst it is still early days, insights can already be gleaned from opt out requests and UPC representative applications that have already been filed on the Case Management System. 199 patents and applications opted out
Although the sunrise period starts today, the UPC remains in the shadows for the moment. Thus, it seemed appropriate to me, in the meantime, to try to bring some light by interviewing 5 French judges who will participate in the new Court. Many thanks to the judges who accepted my invitation: Ms. Florence Butin (President…
The UPC has published practical information on the upcoming launch of the so-called Sunrise period. This 3-month period will start on 1 March 2023 at 9:00 CET. The court advises, among others, to inform the UPC, as far as possible, of the forecasted date of massive opt-out filings. Starting from 1 March 9:00 CET, it…
In June 2023 the European patent landscape will see one of the most dramatic changes in decades with the introduction of the Unitary Patent (UP) and the opening of Unified Patent Court (UPC). In a short series this blog will go through the main characteristics of the system and decisions that need to made to…
A number of recent decisions have highlighted the risks that can arise from the practice of supplying draft judgments to litigants and their advisers under an embargo. The courts have made it clear that a breach of embargo is to be treated seriously, and failure to comply with an embargo may result in proceedings for…
“Jamais deux sans trois”. The French Supreme Court (“Cour de Cassation”) has issued no less than seven decisions relating to SPCs on February 1st, 2023. After having reported the two relating to the interpretation of article 3 a) of the SPC Regulation last week (nivolumab and pembrolizumab cases), I will report today a decision rendered…
In June 2023 the European patent landscape will see one of the most dramatic changes in decades with the introduction of the Unitary Patent (UP) and the opening of Unified Patent Court (UPC). In a short series this blog will go through the main characteristics of the system and decisions that need to made to…
Today, Germany has ratified the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court. This has been confirmed by a statement of its Federal Ministry of Justice. Germany’s ratification launches the countdown as set under Article 89 of the UPC Agreement according to which the Agreement will enter into force on 1 June 2023. According to an announcement…
In the spirit of Jonathan Swift’s unforgettable Modest Proposal for preventing the Children of Poor People from being a Burthen to Their Parents or Country and for making them beneficial to the Publick, Let us first consider a Modest Proposal of how the European Patent Office could be restructured to achieve • 100% EPO Quality…
