Italy joins Unitary Patent
7 October 2015
The European Commission confirmed on 30 September 2015 that Italy has become the 26th state to join the enhanced cooperation of the Unitary Patent protection. Given Italy’s previous reluctance to join, including pursuing a legal challenge against the Unitary Patent, this is a major success for the future of the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court.
Only Spain and Croatia are yet to adopt the unitary patent regulations.
Although Italy has adopted the regulations, they must still ratify the Unified Patent Court agreement before the unitary patent can take effect there. As we previously reported, currently eight countries have already ratified the agreement. This means that the UK, Germany and three other countries must ratify before the agreement can come into force.
James Mitchell
Electronics, Computing & Physics Group
If you require further information on anything covered in this briefing, please contact James Mitchell (jmitchell@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, August 2015
