This is a summary of developments in and around the UPC in the calendar week of October 5, 2026. It was a slow week in terms of decisions.
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7. Around the court
7.1 PMAC Director outlines centre’s expanding role in patent dispute resolution
ip fray interviewed Aleš Zalar, director of the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC), about the Centre’s growing role as a “multi-door” dispute resolution partner to the UPC. Zalar discussed the PMAC’s expanding network of 387 accredited neutrals, its fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) Guidelines initiative, and its mediation, arbitration, and expert determination services. He also highlighted measures to reduce costs and delays, the growing role of ADR in patent litigation, and the importance of referrals from the UPC and national courts to the Centre’s future success.
7.2 UPC, EPO, and WTO officials discuss AI’s growing impact on intellectual property
Aleš Zalar, director of the PMAC, joined senior intellectual property officials at the AIPPI World Congress in Hamburg on October 7, 2026, for a fireside chat on the impact of artificial intelligence on the global IP system. The panel included Klaus Grabinski, president of the CoA; Antonio Campinos, president of the European Patent Office (EPO); Eva Schewior, president of the German Patent and Trademark Office; and Tanuja Garde, director of the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat. The discussion examined AI’s opportunities and limitations in patent and trademark examination, judicial decision-making, mediation, and arbitration, emphasizing the continuing importance of human judgment, transparency, institutional trust, and cooperation among national, European, and international institutions to maintain quality, consistency, and effective IP enforcement.
7.3 EPO President visits PMAC in Ljubljana as Brussels LD hosts EPO Boards of Appeal
On October 5, 2026, Antonio Campinos, president of the EPO, visited the PMAC office in Ljubljana, where Director Aleš Zalar presented the Centre’s activities, achievements, and strategic progress. The meeting, also attended by Karin Žvokelj, director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, highlighted cooperation between PMAC and the EPO, particularly the EPO’s contribution to developing PMAC’s Case Management System (CMS) and a database of international case law on FRAND disputes. The discussions also covered PMAC’s ongoing public consultation on its FRAND Guidelines Discussion Paper, with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to continued cooperation.
Separately, the Brussels LD welcomed members of the EPO’s Boards of Appeal (link to UPC’s LinkedIn post) for an exchange on the UPC’s structure, functioning, and procedures. Sam Granata, presiding judge of the Brussels LD, outlined the division’s framework and highlighted key comparisons between the UPC and the EPO. The visit concluded with an in-depth discussion of UPC procedures, which drew considerable interest from the EPO representatives.
7.4 PMAC launches directory of 387 accredited dispute resolution professionals
The PMAC has launched a new Neutrals page featuring professionals accredited through its first two calls for applications. The pool comprises 387 accredited professionals from 52 countries, including mediators, arbitrators, members of arbitral tribunals, and experts. Of these, 148 have declared experience in standard-essential patent (SEP) and FRAND matters. The directory aims to improve access to information about accredited professionals and their expertise, enabling parties and counsel to identify potential neutrals for specific disputes. PMAC may support disputes involving European patents, unitary patents, and supplementary protection certificates within the UPC’s competence, as well as related disputes involving national patents, other intellectual property rights, or commercial matters, provided they have the required factual, legal, or commercial connection to an actual or contemplated UPC dispute.
7.5 UPC infringement filings hit 2026 monthly high as German divisions dominate
The UPC recorded 29 new infringement actions in September 2026, the highest monthly total of the year, bringing year-to-date filings to 174. The Munich LD received 11 cases, followed by Mannheim with seven, Dusseldorf with four, and Hamburg with two. Together, the four German LDs accounted for 82.8% of September’s infringement filings, up from 50% in April and above their 71.8% share of year-to-date filings. The UPC also recorded three new applications for provisional measures during September.
7.6 UPC registry coordinators meet in Helsinki to strengthen court-wide cooperation
The UPC Deputy-Registrar shared a post about the annual meeting of Local Coordinators from the Court of First Instance’s Sub-registries and the Registry’s Clerk Manager, held on October 1–2, 2026, at the Helsinki LD. The meeting focused on operational matters, improving Registry processes, knowledge transfer, and strengthening cooperation across the court’s locations. The Deputy-Registrar highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistent working methods across a geographically dispersed organization whose staff often balance UPC responsibilities with national duties. Emphasizing the goal of providing consistent service to the court, parties, and users across Europe, the Deputy-Registrar praised Registry staff for their commitment and flexibility in building a cohesive, pan-European organization.
