Almost 25% of new European patents now Unitary

Commission lauds impact of Unitary Patent system on EU innovation and competitiveness

Almost 25 per cent of new European patents are now being issued as Unitary Patents, a year since the system came into operation after more than a decade of preparation.

Unitary Patents can provide intellectual property protection in all 17 participating EU member states simultaneously, with more countries expected to join. They are intended to make it easier and cheaper for organisations and individuals to protect their rights over an area the European Commission said contributes three-quarters of the EU’s GDP.