OBN Digital:

What do pharma, biotech and medtech SMEs and their investors need to know about the pros and cons of the new

Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court?

The Unitary Patent and Unified Patent Court are potentially starting later this year. The new patent and court will be the biggest change in the European patent landscape since the 1970s.

Whilst we are waiting for the timescales to be confirmed and more details to emerge, it is time to start thinking strategically about whether this new regime suits your business. Whether your business owns or licenses patents there are strategic decisions to consider given the new bifurcated system, and the one shot decision that will impact you across the participating countries. By way of example, a few months before the court opens, there will be a "sunrise period" in which patent holders have the opportunity to opt-out their patents from the new system. Whether you want your patents subject to the new system is a key decision, and it is important to recognise that this applies to your existing portfolio as well as any patents you obtain in the future. You should also be asking yourself if it is beneficial to delay the grant of pending patent applications to take advantage of the imminent availability of the new Unitary Patent.

This webinar hosted by OBN Corporate Sponsor Venner Shipley​ will provide an overview and will help you to prepare for these changes, mitigate risks and help you to reassure potential investors and have a good story to tell to any investors on a funding round. There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask any questions you may have.