The EPO and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) signed an agreement on the exchange of data between the two institutions on November 17, 2022. The agreement provides the legal basis for facilitating the exchange of data between the EPO's European Patent Register and the UPC's Register, as well as for possible operational support from the EPO for the UPC's training framework.

    EPO President António Campinos and President of the UPC's Court of Appeal Klaus Grabinski signed the agreement on the fringes of a high-level conference in Brussels dedicated to the Unitary Patent system and jointly organised by the Belgian government, the EPO and the European Commission.

    The agreement will be an important element in establishing the UPC's user-friendly case management system. Mr Campinos said: "The EPO is proud to support the UPC in establishing a truly IT-driven, unified patent judiciary." Mr Grabinski stated: "The UPC is pleased to cooperate with the EPO in the necessary exchange of register data and in the training for UPC judges."

    The UPC is a dedicated court for the enforcement of both "classic" European patents and Unitary Patents. It will hear cases related to infringement and the validity of the patents granted by the EPO. Today's agreement will take effect with the entry into operation of the UPC Agreement, which is expected as of 1 April 2023.

    Source: EPO