Unitary Patent System Entry into Operation Delayed until June 1, 2023

On December 2, 2022, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) announced that the Unitary Patent (UP) system’s entry into operation has been postponed from April 1 to June 1, 2023, while the start of the sunrise period has been postponed from January 1 to March 1, 2023.

The additional time is intended to allow users to prepare themselves for the authentication which will be required to access the UPC’s Case Management System and to sign documents, as users will need to be equipped with both a client authentication (hard device) and a qualified electronic signature. Further information on the authentication is available on the UPC website, including a list of providers who have informed the UPC that they meet the required technical standards.

No further delays are expected as all other preparatory work is on track and in line with the implementation roadmap.

Despite the postponement of the UPC and the sunrise period, the starting date of the transitional measures offered by the EPO – January 1, 2023 – remains unchanged.

Prepared by: Djurdja Krivokapić

For more information, please contact mail@petosevic.com.

Source: Unified Patent Court website