On 1 September 2024, Romania became the 18th member state to join the Unified Patent Court (UPC), a significant boost for the Unified Patent Court. This move comes a bit more one year after the UPC began its operations, highlighting the success story of the UPC so far.
Romania's entry into the UPC expands the jurisdiction of the court to include an additional market of approximately 19 million consumers. This is a pivotal moment not only for Romania but also for patent holders and businesses operating within and outside of the country. By joining the UPC, also Romania enables a single court to have jurisdiction over European patent validations in its territory, simplifying the process of enforcing European patents across different national borders.
The inclusion of Romania in the UPC system means that any new unitary patents issued from September 1, 2024, will automatically cover Romania, alongside the other member states. This provides a broader protection and enforcement landscape for patent holders, which is particularly beneficial for businesses with a pan-European presence. However, it is important to note that unitary patents granted before this date will not cover Romania.
This development should encourage other EU member states that have yet to ratify the UPC agreement to move forward with their ratification processes. As more countries join, the unitary patent system will gain further traction and authority.
