Romania joins the Unitary Patent system

On May 31, 2024, Romania deposited the instrument of ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) with the Council of the European Union. The ratification took effect on September 1, 2024. Unitary patents for which the unitary effect was registered on or after September 1, 2024 are therefore also valid in Romania. The Unitary Patent system now covers 18 EU Member States.

The territorial scope of a particular generation of Unitary Patents will remain unchanged throughout their term, even if further ratifications of the UPCA take place after registration of the unitary effect. The territoreal scope of existing Unitary Patents will therefore not be extended to other Member States that ratify the UPCA after the EPO has registered the unitary effect. Unitary patents registered before September 1, 2024 will therefore continue to be valid in 17 EU member states.

Further information on the Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court can be found on our information page.