The Unitary Patent: Who's It for Anyway?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the discernible differences between the Unitary Patent and other European pathways to IP protection, as they now stand, and guide the reader towards a more informed decision on what a strategy should be when pursuing patent rights within the European region. The paper will explain briefly the history of the unitary patent regulation as well as the several failed earlier attempts at designing a unitary patent for the European region. This history will thus enable the reader to understand that the unitary patent, despite the impression given by European Union Administrative entities, as well as the European Patent Organisation, is not a “done deal”.