UPC
“Yes” vote in Denmark’s referendum on Unified Patent Court
May 2014
Denmark has voted in a referendum in favour of joining the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
Referendums in Denmark are held on the basis of majority vote. In order for a referendum to be defeated, it must be rejected by a majority of voters and no less than thirty percent of the electorate. Figures show 34% of registered
voters voted “yes”, 20% “no”, whilst 46% abstained from voting.
The next stage will be for the Danish Parliament to ratify the Agreement.
Denmark will be the fifth Member State to ratify the UPC Agreement (after Austria, Belgium, France and Malta). Ratification by thirteen Member States (including the UK, France and Germany) is required for the Agreement
to enter into force.
