This is a summary of developments in and around the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in the calendar week of April 20, 2026. Like the previous one, it is a relatively long UPC Roundup.
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11. Around the court
11.1 UK appeals court points to PMAC option in Nokia–Acer/ASUS SEP fight
At a recent hearing, the Court of Appeal of England and Wales (EWCA) scrutinized Acer and ASUS over their refusal to arbitrate a global licensing dispute with Nokia involving standard-essential video patents, signaling skepticism toward the companies’ litigation strategy. While no decision has been issued, the panel’s questioning suggested that arbitration, potentially through bodies like WIPO or the UPC’s Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre (PMAC), may be viewed as a more coherent way to resolve cross-border FRAND disputes than parallel national proceedings. The appeal challenges a High Court ruling that granted Acer and ASUS an interim license declaration and rejected Nokia’s jurisdictional objections. The outcome remains uncertain, but a reversal of the interim-license declaration appears plausible, while a full jurisdictional dismissal is unlikely.
11.2 Dusseldorf LD hosts Japanese patent delegation for procedural exchange
On April 16, 2026, the Dusseldorf LD hosted a delegation of Japanese patent experts for an exchange on UPC practice and procedure. The visit, organized by JETRO in cooperation with the court and the Dusseldorf Higher Regional Court, took place at the Higher Regional Court’s plenary hall. During the session, Presiding Judges Ronny Thomas and Dr. Bérénice Thom outlined the structure and functioning of the Dusseldorf LD and engaged in detailed discussions with participants, reflecting ongoing international interest in the UPC’s evolving patent litigation framework.