Concern over pressure build-up for new European patent system

Unified Patent Court reports delays as new pan-European system ramps up

A court being set up to handle disputes over a new pan-European patent has acknowledged concern over delays just as the long-awaited patent prepares to launch.

The Unified Patent Court will gain powers from 1 June over the European Unitary Patent, which will enable applicants to request intellectual property protections across the 17 countries participating initially, and seven more due to participate in the future.