Patent concern

MPs have highlighted concerns over proposals for the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which aims to offer patent protection in 25 EU member states at an affordable cost.

In a report published last week, the European Scrutiny Committee concluded the draft agreement on the UPC would hinder rather than help the enforcement of patents in the EU, would increase litigation costs for small and medium-sized businesses and be more burdensome than the existing system in the UK. It has called on the government to ensure the UPC is headquartered in London. It has called on the government to ensure the UPC is headquartered in London.