Finalizing the Unitary Patent Package: Challenges and Ways Forward, Thon Hotel Brussels City Centre, Brussels, Wednesday 8 February 2017

Speakers include:

Prof. Willem A. Hoyng
Lawyer, HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER, Amsterdam
Katalin Lubóczki
Member, UPC Preparatory Committee, Attaché for Intellectual Property, Audiovisual Policy and Consumer Protection Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU
Darren Smyth
Partner, Patent and Design Attorney, London, EIP Europe LLP, Author for The IPKat, IP Alchemist, Editor JIPL
Prof. Dr. Winfried Tilmann
Of Counsel, Hogan Lovells, Düsseldorf
Pierre Véron
Lawyer, Member of the Paris Bar, Véron & Associés

Event Details

In December 2012, after a 40 year long quest, the European Parliament and the European Council finally reached a formal agreement on two EU regulations, making the European Patent with Unitary Effect (EPUE) an achievable prospect. With almost all EU member states – except for Spain and Croatia – participating in the enhanced cooperation, the legislation is supposed to come into force in the course of 2017.

Experts, however, argue about the intended cost saving factor as well as the theoretical simplicity the EPUE package will bring, being mostly concerned about the patchwork nature of the system. Also, with the recent Brexit vote, additional straits are adding up, making the future of the Unitary Patent unclear.

This timely Symposium will offer an opportunity to inform and find out more about the current developments and challenges regarding the Unitary Patent and the Unitary Patent Court. The conference will evaluate advantages and disadvantages, build strategies for businesses on how to proceed and support the exchange of information and best practices with experts, practitioners and policymakers at EU level.

The event flyer can be downloaded here.
A registration form can be downloaded here.