The Unified Patent Court (UPC) has published its first Annual Report, marking a crucial milestone in European patent litigation. This report outlines the UPC’s achievements, case volume, judicial appointments, technological advancements, and future plans.

Since its launch on June 1, 2023, the UPC has handled a significant number of cases, proving that businesses are embracing its centralized approach to patent disputes. It also highlights how the unitary patent system is shaping the European intellectual property (IP).

This article explores the UPC Annual Report’s findings, along with an overview of the UPC’s role and the unitary patent’s impact on innovation and enforcement.

Unified Patent Court: A Recap of Its Purpose

The Unified Patent Court (UPC) was established to simplify patent enforcement across Europe. Before its creation, businesses had to litigate separately in multiple national courts to protect their patents in different EU countries.

This process was expensive, time-consuming, and often led to inconsistent rulings.

The UPC solves this issue by offering a single court system where patent holders can enforce and challenge patents across multiple participating EU Member States.

The court consists of two main bodies:

• Court of First Instance – Includes local, regional, and central divisions in cities like Paris, Munich, and Milan.
• Court of Appeal – Based in Luxembourg, handling appeals from the Court of First Instance.

Additionally, a Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre is being developed to provide alternative dispute resolution options.

With the unitary patent system, businesses can secure and enforce patents in multiple countries through a single legal process. The UPC has exclusive jurisdiction over unitary patents, making it a key institution in European patent law.

UPC Annual Report 2024: Key Highlights

The UPC’s first Annual Report provides data-driven insights into the court’s first full year of operation. It confirms that companies are actively using the UPC system to protect their patents and challenge invalid claims.

1. Strong Demand for UPC Litigation

By December 31, 2024, the UPC had received 633 cases, proving its importance in European patent enforcement.

Case distribution across key divisions:

Munich Local Division – Most active, handling 53 infringement cases.

Paris Central Division – Managed 21 revocation cases, making it the leading venue for challenging patents.

Hamburg, Düsseldorf, and Mannheim – Other key locations handling a steady flow of disputes.

The court saw peak case filings in June, July, and December, indicating businesses are becoming more confident in the UPC’s efficiency.

2. Rapid Development of UPC Case Law

With over 600 cases filed, the UPC is shaping its legal framework and setting key precedents.

• Infringement actions form the majority of cases.
• Revocation requests are increasing as companies test the system’s approach to patent validity.

The UPC is laying the foundation for a unified case law, ensuring greater predictability for future patent litigation.

3. Judicial Appointments and Training

The court has expanded its judicial team to handle rising caseloads.

• Legally qualified judges increased from 35 to 41.
• Technically qualified judges grew from 68 to 75.

The UPC also conducted an extensive training program in Vienna, ensuring consistent rulings across divisions.

4. UPC Case Management System: A Work in Progress

The report highlights technical issues with the UPC’s Case Management System (CMS). In response, the court is developing a new CMS, expected by mid-2025.

This improved system will:

• Enhance transparency in case handling.
• Speed up case processing and filings.
• Improve digital accessibility for businesses and attorneys.

The Unitary Patent: Transforming Patent Protection for Businesses

The unitary patent system was launched alongside the UPC to simplify patent protection in Europe. Instead of filing separate patents in different countries, businesses can now apply for a single patent that covers multiple EU Member States.

The UPC has exclusive jurisdiction over unitary patents, meaning all enforcement and challenges occur within the court system.

Benefits of the unitary patent include:

Lower costs – No need for multiple national filings and litigation.
Stronger enforcement – One court decision applies across all participating countries.
Less administrative burden – Easier to manage international patents.

The UPC report confirms that the unitary patent is gaining traction, with more businesses opting for this streamlined approach to patent protection.

Challenges and Future Plans

The UPC Annual Report also identifies challenges and upcoming improvements.

Scaling the Judicial System

With case volumes rising, the UPC plans to recruit more judges and clerks to maintain efficiency. Future training programs will ensure consistency across different divisions.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The court is launching a Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre in 2025. This will provide faster, cost-effective dispute resolution options, reducing the burden on formal litigation.

Increasing Awareness and Adoption

While businesses are actively using the UPC, there is still room for growth. The court plans to expand education and outreach efforts to encourage more patent holders to opt into the system.

What the UPC’s First Year Means for Businesses

The UPC’s first Annual Report proves that the court is fulfilling its purpose. For startups, innovators, and large corporations, the UPC system offers major benefits:

• Unified litigation – Businesses can enforce patents across multiple EU countries in one court.
• Lower costs – Eliminates the need for parallel national lawsuits.
• Legal certainty – A growing body of case law ensures more predictable rulings.

Companies looking to protect their innovations should closely follow UPC case law developments and consider unitary patents as a cost-effective strategy.

Final Thoughts

The UPC’s first year has been a success, with high case volumes, judicial expansion, and technological advancements. The Annual Report confirms that businesses are embracing the new system to enforce and challenge patents more efficiently.

With new initiatives like the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre and an improved Case Management System, the UPC is set to become the go-to forum for European patent disputes.

For a detailed look at the court’s progress and future plans, you can read the full UPC 2024 Annual Report here.

Got Questions About the UPC? We’ve Got Answers.

Whether you’re filing a unitary patent, enforcing your rights under the UPC, or challenging a competitor’s claim, understanding the system is key. The UPC’s first year has set important legal precedents—are you leveraging them to your advantage?

From revocation actions to infringement cases, we help you handle the process with confidence. If you need clear answers on UPC procedures, enforcement strategies, or ways to cut litigation costs, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today and take control of your patent strategy.