Unitary Patent & Unified Patent Court
Last updated: June 2026
A better patent system for Europe
The Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court (UPC), complemented by its Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC), are essential to the centralised European patent granting system. They offer users a cost-effective option for patent protection and dispute settlement across Europe.
Unitary Patent
Unitary Patents make it possible to get patent protection in up to 18 EU Member States by submitting a single request to the EPO, making the procedure simpler and more cost effective for applicants.
Unified Patent Court & PMAC
The UPC deals with the infringement and validity of both Unitary Patents and European patents, avoiding costly parallel litigation and enhancing legal certainty. Facilities for alternative dispute resolution are provided by the UPC’s Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC).
Unitary Patent dashboard
This overview of requests for unitary effect and registrations of Unitary Patents is updated daily. Our interactive display (in English only) breaks down requests by technology, language and proprietors’ profile.
Introductory brochures
Basic information about the Unitary Patent system – its economic impact and how it fits into the existing European patent framework.
Ask.UP
Mini web-series where we clarify the most common questions about the Unitary Patent
Materials & recordings
Access presentations and videos from previous events
Welcoming the Unitary Patent System: A new era for innovation in Europe Webinars with UPC expertsUnitary Patent information in patent knowledge (videos) PODCAST Unitary Patent: impact and insights (June 2024)Events & training
Register for forthcoming seminars and courses
Training
European Patent Litigation Certificate
Updates
Quality and user satisfaction remain high as global impact of European patent system grows
Users also exchange views on digital transformation, legal changes and the Unitary Patent
Exchange focused on quality, the Unitary Patent and standard essential patents
EPO President attends launch of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre in Ljubljana
Users and the EPO exchanged views on the recently published 2026 EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines
Submit comments until 3 April on the EPC and PCT‑EPO Guidelines, which now include content from the former Guides, and on the UP Guidelines
Exchanges on IP awareness, the Unitary Patent system, leveraging AI and EPO quality initiatives
Strengthening collaboration with the American Intellectual Property Law Association