In 2016-2017, steps were taken to establish the Unified Patent Court (UPC), including ratification of the UPCA by at least 13 member states including France, UK and Germany. The Preparatory Committee worked to resolve financial and organizational issues and the UPC Administrative Committee took over. Ratification by the UK was completed before a Brexit referendum, and the UPC came into effect on February 1, 2017 with Germany's ratification in September 2016.

1. 2016-2017: En route to the
Unified Patent Court…
Mid-2016:
Ratification of the
Protocol to the
UPCA, by at least 13
states which have
already signed and
ratified the UPCA
Mid-2016:
The preparatory
Committee aims to
have all the
financial,
organisational and
other issues
resolved.
The UPC
Administrative
Committee,
consisting of
representatives of
the Member States,
takes over.
Ratification of the
UPCA by the UK
before the UK
decides by
referendum (before
the end of 2017) to
stay or leave the EU
13 Member States
(including France, UK
and Germany) haver
ratified UPCA
Septembre 2016:
Ratification of the
UPCA by Germany
The Unified Patent
Court comes into
effect on 01/02/17