UPC holds Administrative Committee meeting
On 22 and 23 February, the Unified Patent Court (UPC) held its inaugural meetings of the Administrative and Budget Committees. Delegates from contracting member states joined the hybrid event in Luxembourg at the seat of the Court of Appeal and the Registry, with the EPO participating as observer. The inaugural meetings follow the UPC's Protocol on Provisional Application entering into force and establishing the UPC as an international organisation.
During the meeting, the Administrative Committee adopted several secondary Rules and Regulations which will be vital for the functioning of the UPC. These included its Rules of Procedure, Rules on the European Patent Litigation Certificate, Service Regulations for the UPC judges and its administrative staff, and Financial Regulations. The Budget Committee on the other hand adopted the budget for the period of provisional application of the UPC Agreement. The contracting member states also elected Alexander Ramsay (SE), current chair of the Preparatory Committee, as the Administrative Committee chair and Johannes Karcher (DE) as the deputy chair, as well as Bruno Leboullenger (FR) as chair and Theis Bødker Jensen (DK) as the deputy chair of the Budget Committee.
The new chairs and several delegations acknowledged the historical significance of these inaugural meetings and reiterated that the UPC project has now entered its final preparatory phase.
Following the events, the EPO President António Campinos expressed his optimism: "The EPO very much welcomes this step towards delivering the Unitary Patent Package. The Unitary Patent and UPC will be the most important reforms of the European patent system since the signing of the European Patent Convention."
Further information:
Announcement on the Unified Patent Court Administrative Committee's inaugural meeting
Related items
Discussions focus on Unitary Patent ratification
Preview versions of the EPC, PCT-EPO and UP Guidelines 2025 are published as of today. Our annual user consultation is now open for your feedback.
Guidelines on EPC, PCT-EPO and Unitary Patent to be the most comprehensive ever
Discussions on European innovation policies and the Unitary Patent
Outcomes of first meeting with Adrian Howes, President of the UK industry association
Engaging with the EPO’s largest user group, celebrating 40 years of co-operation
Third edition reflects all changes in the 18 months since new system launched
Select Committee of the Administrative Council adopts change in the Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection
Agreement reached on budget and accession of Romania welcomed
Members of the SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines provide input on the drafts for 2025
Delegation from the Japan Intellectual Property Association visits the EPO in Munich
Europe’s leading patent judges and litigators gather in Venice to discuss current litigation practice and take stock of the UPC’s first year
Mario Draghi’s personal vision points to critical role for patent system
EPO President highlights crucial role of judiciary in Unitary Patent system
Romania becomes the 18th EU Member State to join the Unitary Patent system
Delegation from EPO visited the local division to learn about their first year
This precautionary measure, decided by the President of the EPO, is taken pending further discussions with the EPO’s member states.
Event covers Chinese patent law, EPO-CNIPA pilot and fosters mutual understanding
Over 250 online documents reveal the history behind the most significant patent reform of recent decades
Unitary Patent system soon to welcome 18th EU Member State