UK Triggers Article 50 as Unified Patent Court Prepares to Open In Late 2017

Today the UK Prime Minister invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This is expected to lead to the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) in two years' time. After exiting the EU, the UK will remain a member of the European Patent Convention and J A Kemp will continue to represent its clients at the European Patent Office to obtain European patents.

Preparations are at an advanced stage for the introduction of the Unitary Patent system and the opening of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in late 2017. The UK continues to take a leading role in the UPC project. On 15 March the UPC Preparatory Committee finalised the key documentation required for the provisional application phase.