Unitary patent

A unitary patent is a European patent with unitary effect, as defined by Regulations (EU) No 1257/2012 and (EU) No 1260/2012, that is, a European patent granted under the European Patent Convention which is given unitary effect at its owner’s request and provides uniform patent protection in up to 25 EU Member States.

The unitary effect will cover those Member States taking part in the enhanced cooperation for unitary patent protection and which have ratified the Unified Patent Court Agreement. Litigation relating to unitary and other European patents and related supplementary protection certificates will take place for these Member States in accordance with this Agreement.

The unitary patent system is not yet operational.

SEE ALSO

• Enhanced cooperation
• Intellectual property
• EU unitary patents — translation arrangements (summary)
• Single EU patent boosts intellectual property protection and cuts related costs (summary)
• Unitary patent (European Commission)
• Unitary patent (European Patent Office).