UPC MAP

How do the EPC and UPC interact

To ensure that patentees obtain patent coverage that meets the business’ needs both geographically and economically, it is important to understand how the European Patent (39 EPC countries plus 1 extension and 5 validation states) and the Unitary Patent (only available to EU Member States) will interact.

Currently, Unitary Patents (UPs) do not cover all 24 participating EU Member States as only 18 EU Member States have ratified the UPC Agreement to date. Outstanding ratifications are likely to take place successively, so there may be different generations of UPs with different territorial coverage. The coverage of a given generation of UP will stay the same for the entire lifetime, irrespective of any subsequent ratifications of the UPC Agreement after the date of registration of unitary effect.

Select from the list of countries below to understand what patenting and enforcement options are available now the UPC is live.

EPC (EU) country has joined UPC
EPC (EU) country intends to join UPC
EPC (EU) country signed but not ratified UPC
EPC (EU) country - not joining UPC
EPC (Non-EU) country - cannot join UPC
Local & Regional Divisions (infringement)
Central Divisions (revocation/DNI)
Court of Appeal / UPC Registry
Mediation & Arbitration Centres

*Germany ratified the UPC Agreement on 17 February 2023 – this means that the Unified Patent Court and Unitary Patent will go live on 1 June 2023

**The Irish government has committed to a referendum on ratifying the UPC Agreement before May 2024.

Latest updates

The EPO Looks at the Morality and Patentability of Therapeutics Derived from Traditional Knowledge

This case (T2510/181) heard before the Technical Boards of Appeal at the EPO in May 2024 relates to the morality and novelty of substances of a natural origin. The invention …

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Event - 7th November 2024

CIPSC Corporate IP Strategy Conference

HGF are proud to be platinum sponsors of the CIPSC event in Santa Clara, US. The CIPSC Unified Patents event will be held in Santa Clara, US on Thursday 7th …

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Event - 7th November 2024

OUI Annual Networking Event

HGF are proud to be sponsoring the OUI Annual Networking Event in London on Thursday 7th November. This event will host key discussions around the impact of the Oxford’s Innovation …

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Bite-sized MBA Course

HGF are proud to announce 14 of our colleagues have completed a bite-sized MBA and have now achieved a strategy consultation accreditation awarded from The University of East Anglia. The …

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Event - 24th October 2024

CTA Demo Day

HGF is proud to be speaking at the Cancer Tech Accelerator Demo Day 2024. The Cancer Tech Accelerator Day 2024 will be held at HGF Limited, Leeds on Thursday 24th …

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Two IPs In a Pod - Practical experiences and insights of using the UPC

Our Head of Law Rachel Fetches is speaking on the latest episode of the Charted Institute Of Patent Attorneys Two IPs In a Pod podcast and in this episode they …

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