Unitary Patent: Legal provision to implement EU sanctions against Russia
After the EU published the 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia, in July 2024 the European Patent Office (EPO) took the precautionary measure of staying proceedings for requests filed or co-filed by Russian patent holders that fall under the scope of the sanctions. In fruitful discussions with the European Commission, as well as with the participating states in the recent meeting of the Select Committee (SC) of the Administrative Council, the swift implementation of the sanctions was decided. The decision of the SC provides the legal framework for the EPO’s measures.
Following an amendment of the Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection, the EPO will now reject requests for unitary effect where the proprietor of the European patent is subject to the restrictive measures of this package.
After the entry into force of the new rule adopted by the Select Committee, the proceedings stayed as a precautionary measure will now be resumed.
