Italy ratifies the UPCA
13 February 2017
On Friday 10 February 2017, Italy became the latest country to ratify the UPCA, bringing the total number of ratifications to twelve.
As ten other non-mandatory countries, plus France, have already ratified the Agreement (listed here), the ratification of Italy was not required to initiate the UPC. However, with Italy being the fourth largest economy in Europe, their ratification is a welcome boost to the benefits provided by the soon-to-be Unitary Patent.
As it stands, when the UPCA comes into force, applicants will be able to protect their inventions in fourteen EU countries with a single patent. With other countries likely to ratify in the coming months, the benefits of the Unitary Patent are adding up, with a potential of protection in 25 countries (listed here).
For further information and updates, please keep up to date with our Unitary Patent Package section of our website, here.
James Mitchell and Russell Barton
Electronics, Computing & Physics group
If you require further information on anything covered in this briefing, please contact Russell Barton (rbarton@withersrogers.com; +44 207 940 3600) or your usual contact at the firm. This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
© Withers & Rogers LLP, February 2017
