EPO sets start of UP and UPC related transitional measures to 1 January 2023

Aligning with the recently published implementation roadmap published by the Unified Patent Court (UPC), the EPO has decided to adjust the starting date of its transitional measures to 1 January 2023.

As of that date, patent applicants may file early requests for unitary effect and requests for a delay in issuing the decision to grant a European patent. The measures are applicable until the entry into operation of the Unitary Patent Protection system which is expected to be on 1 April 2023.

Further details from the EPO can be found here and from our previous article on the transitional provisions here.