European Unitary Patent finally launches after decade-long wait

Single patent valid across more than half of EU described as a “game-changer”

The EU has at long last launched its Unitary Patent, which is intended to make it easier and cheaper to protect intellectual property rights in more than a dozen participating countries, after more than a decade of delays.

“With this streamlined, de-fragmented patent system finally at par with that of our main trading partners, this is a real game-changer regarding patent protection and enforcement,” said Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission vice president for digitisation.