When was the Unitary Patent system launched?

The Unitary Patent system was launched on 1 June 2023 at the same time as the Unified Patent Court.

The Unitary Patent system is inextricably linked to the creation of the Unified Patent Court, which has jurisdiction over Unitary Patents and "conventional" European patents: the two EU regulations setting up the Unitary Patent (Regulations (EU) No 1257/2012 and (EU) No 1260/2012) took effect 1 June 2023, the date of entry into force of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court.

The secondary legislation on the Unitary Patent – in particular the Rules relating to Unitary Patent Protection – also entered into force on 1 June 2023. This is the legal framework that formally entrusts the EPO with the administration of the Unitary Patent.