News

A step closer to the unified patent court as prototype eFiling software is released

7 January 2015

Last month saw the prototype of the eFiling and Case Management System for the new Unified Patent Court (UPC) go live for testing. This represents an important step closer to the implementation of the UPC.

The development team, coordinated by a UK-based taskforce, have chosen an off-the-shelf product on which to base the system. The aim of the system is to allow IP practitioners to file documents, monitor cases and track hearings 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On their website, the Preparatory Committee state that “for the UPC, this is a start-up, a completely new court and organisation”. The purpose of this testing phase is, therefore, to gain as much feedback as possible about how the system should work from real users across Europe and beyond. As such, the beta website allows users to send feedback using a convenient “send feedback” link, and behaviour of users will be monitored to further develop the system.

This represents a significant step toward the UPC becoming a reality and follows other recent developments including the ratification of the UPC Agreement by Austria in August, and the publication of the UPC roadmap in September.

If you would like to try the system yourself, you can gain access at http://prototype.unified-patent-court.org/ .

Will Morgan
Electronics, Computing & Physics group

If you require further information on anything covered in this briefing, please contact Will Morgan (wmorgan@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, January 2015