New EPO Unitary Patent Dashboard Shows 5,000+ Requests Since Launch

The European Patent Office (EPO) today launched a dashboard on Unitary Patents, which will be updated daily and breaks down data on requests for Unitary Patents by technology field, country of origin, language of translation, proprietors’ profile and status of registration.

According to an EPO press release, there have been 670 requests filed on average per week since the Unitary Patent went into effect on June 1, “demonstrating high interest in the new system.” The dashboard shows that there are presently 4,535 registered Unitary Patents, 532 pending applications, and 5 applications that were withdrawn, for a total of 5,072 requests for unitary effect.

Germany so far is the originating country with the most requests (1,004), followed by the United States (704). France has made 396 requests and China 237.

The technology sector that has seen the most activity for Unitary Patents is Infrastructure & Mechanics, with 1,046 requests. Health follows in second place, with 1,006 requests; Materials & Production with 974; Digital with 526; Mobility & Space Technology with 450; Energy with 340; and Agri-food with 137.

“The dashboard will create transparency by providing relevant information on how the take-up of the Unitary Patent is evolving,” said EPO President António Campinos in the EPO press release. “It covers relevant parameters for users to gain a comprehensive overview of the attractiveness of the Unitary Patent to innovating businesses from around the globe.”

The Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) both entered into force on June 1, 2023. The Unitary Patent System presently includes 17 participating EU Member States.

IPWatchdog author John White in a recent article called the Unitary Patent “a game changer” and said that, with its advent, patenting in Europe is something all applicants should consider:

“Now getting a pan-Europe, 17-country patent is as cheap as getting a single U.S. patent! And then it gets cheaper. It can no longer be said that patenting in Europe is for the well-heeled applicant. In fact, now it is so cheap that not filing in Europe amounts to patent malpractice. You cover as many people and as much economic activity for less money right out of the gate. As more countries join, the advantages and leverage only grow.”

In a statement leading up to the launch of the Unitary Patent and UPC in 2022, European Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said the significantly lower costs will benefit SMEs, in particular. “A Unitary Patent covering a territory of potentially up to 25 Member States will cost less than €5,000 in renewal fees over 10 years, instead of the current level of around €29,000,” Breton said. “The Unitary Patent will also reduce the gap between the cost of patent protection in Europe compared with the US, Japan and other third countries.”