Unitary Patent Rules adopt gender-neutral language
On 1 December 2025, the English text of the Rules related to Unitary Patent Protection (UPR) was updated to implement gender-neutral language, and interpretative preambles were added in all language versions of the UPR and the Rules relating to Fees for Unitary Patent Protection (RFeesUPP).
The implementation of gender-neutral language in the UPR was approved by the Select Committee at their last meeting. In the English text, all instances of “he/his” are now replaced with “they/their”. This does not change the substance of the provisions or the established practice. Furthermore, taking into account the linguistic complexity of using gender-neutral language in a legislative context in German and French, interpretative preambles have also been added to the UPR and the RFeesUPP, making it clear that any non-gender-neutral terms are to be interpreted in a gender-neutral way. The updated UPR and RFeesUPP entered into force on 1 December 2025, and the full text is available online.
This update underscores the European Patent Office's (EPO) commitment to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation, as set out in its Strategic Plan 2028. It builds on the Unitary Patent's already largely gender-neutral legislation and is consistent with the approach of the Administrative Council, which has adopted gender-neutral language in the EPC Implementing Regulations and, more recently, in the EPO's legal instruments.
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