< Back to latest news & events

News

Start of the UPC Sunrise Period delayed to 1 March 2023

December 2022

The UPC sunrise period which was expected to start on 1 January 2023 has now been postponed to 1 March 2023.

Consequently, the entry into force of the UPCA and opening of the UPC is now expected to be 1 June 2023. The delay, which was announced on the UPC website, is set to enable users to prepare themselves to use the Case Management System (CMS) and to sign documents electronically. Although the UPC has written guidelines and a list of providers to help users prepare themselves to use the CMS, many users have commented that there is not sufficient time to prepare, if the sunrise period was to have started on 1 January 2023 as originally planned.

No other changes to the UPC roadmap are expected. The UPC Rules of procedure have been adopted, the judges have been appointed and the functionalities of the CMS have been positively tested.

MORE INFORMATION HERE

Latest updates

Event - 4th November 2025

HGF are Silver Sponsors of LSPN Europe 2025

HGF is proud to be a Silver Sponsor of LSPN Europe 2025, a leading forum dedicated to helping life sciences innovators protect and leverage their intellectual property across the entire …

Event details
Event - 30th - 31st October 2025

RAPS European Digital Technologies and Software conference

HGF is proud to be attending the RAPS European Digital Technologies and Software conference in The Netherlands on 30th-31st October. HGF Partner and Patent Attorney Janine Swarbrick and Patent Director …

Event details

Protect It Before You Promote It: IP Advice for MedTech Innovators

Developed a new medical product? Check. Got tickets to an exciting MedTech conference to show off your new product? Check. Intellectual property? Pardon? In the excitement of bringing a new …

Read article

Agritech Thymes: The Bite of Implied Consent: Lessons from the Pink Lady Case

Can the supply of a plant variety without clear and defined restrictions on its use be an implicit consent to commercialise it? This case centres on the evidence required to …

Read article

IAM Global Leaders 2026

HGF is proud to announce that we have 3 partners listed as an IAM Global Leader 2026. To qualify for inclusion in the IAM Global Leaders, individuals must be ranked …

Read article

The Bite of Implied Consent: Lessons from the Pink Lady Case

A recent European Union court decision considers the issue of implied consent to commercialise a plant variety, and whether the evidence meets the threshold of “serious doubts” of the validity …

Read article
Event - 5th November 2025

HGF are Gold Sponsors of IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025

We’re excited to share that HGF is a Gold Sponsor of IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025, taking place on the 5th November at the Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel in …

Event details

HGF ranked band 1 in Chambers and Partners UK 2026

The Chambers and Partners UK 2026 Guide is now live and HGF has one again been highly ranked as a firm, with several recognised individuals across multiple regions. HGF is …

Read article
See all updates