Romania becomes the 18th Member of the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court system

Romania became the 18th member of the of the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court (UPC) system on 1 September  2024, marking a significant milestone in European intellectual property law. From this date forward, Romania will be included in the jurisdiction of the UPC for all European patents with unitary effect granted on or after this date.

The UPC was established to streamline the patent protection process across Europe, allowing for the enforcement of patents in multiple countries through a single court. The integration of Romania into the UPC underscores the growing importance of unified legal frameworks in fostering innovation and protecting intellectual property.

As the UPC continues to expand, it is expected that more countries will join, further enhancing the efficiency and coherence of patent protection across Europe. Romania's participation marks a new chapter in this ongoing development, promising greater consistency and broader coverage for European patent holders.

If you need help with European patent applications, or would like more information on the UPC, contact us.