Unitary patent and UPC related progress continues to creep forward and the UKIPO has issued another of its regular updates. Once again there’s no major news but some smaller updates …..
Consultation on the Rules on Court Fees – As noted previously, there’s to be a London event on 23 June 2015 to discuss the court fees consultation. More details can be found in our earlier post.
There will also be an event in Scotland on the 6th July in Edinburgh. Those wanting to attend should follow the link: I would like to go to an event in Scotland;
Interest in events in Manchester and Leeds is still being gauged. Interest can be registered by clicking on the appropriate link: I would like to go to an event in Manchester; I would like to go to an event in Leeds.
Preparatory Committee
Dates of future meetings are as follows:
- 10 July – Preparatory Committee
- 18 September – Expert Panel Meeting in Paris
- 13 October – Preparatory Committee
The agenda for the next Preparatory Committee was confirmed at an Executive Group meeting on 2 June and will include both protocols, on privileges and immunities and provisional application, and judicial remuneration.
IT – the EU tender process appears to be drawing to a close and suppliers should be receiving news soon. The IT team has also apparently visited the EPO to discuss handing over the opt-out process.
Legal – the next Legal Frameworks Working Group meeting is on 25 and 26 June and further amendments to the court rules of procedure have been received in advance of this meeting. This is anticipated to be the last time the rules of procedure will be discussed and the plan is for the rule of procedure to be adopted in the 10 July meeting of the Preparatory Committee.
The legal team anticipates adopting the EPLC (European Patent Litigation Certificate) in the next few weeks.
Unitary Patent – a revised proposal for the unitary patent renewal fees was issued recently (original proposal here; revised proposal here). The Select Committee handling this matter met on 26 and 27 May. They are scheduled to meet again on 23 June.
Bonus Update – the PatLit blog is reporting that apparently the Netherlands is not currently particularly motivated about setting up its own local division of the UPC.
Mark Richardson 8 June 2015