This is a summary of developments in and around the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in the calendar week of March 23, 2026.
To Read The Full Story
Continue reading your article with a Membership
10. Around the court
10.1 EPO data show rising adoption of unitary patent across Europe and beyond
The European Patent Office reported that uptake of the Unitary Patent system exceeded expectations in 2025, with 34,357 requests accounting for 28.7% of all granted European patents, up from 25.6% in 2024. Adoption was particularly strong among European applicants, reaching 40%, and even higher among universities, public research bodies, and SMEs, where uptake rose to 48.3%. International interest also grew, with increased participation from Chinese patentees and strong uptake from countries such as Canada, Australia, India, Israel, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, in some cases matching or exceeding European levels.
10.2 Open letter highlights uneven case allocation across UPC divisions
An open letter by Bardehle Pagenberg has intensified debate over the uneven distribution of cases across UPC divisions, with most filings concentrated in Germany. While the UPC’s overall success and rising Unitary Patent uptake are undisputed, concerns are growing among governments and law firms in less active jurisdictions, prompting input from the European Patent Lawyers Association (EPLAW) on possible reforms. The discussion highlights competing approaches: some proposals, such as limiting panels in busy divisions or expanding venue transfers, are criticized as counterproductive, while others, including increasing the international mix of judges and improving predictability in smaller divisions, are seen as more viable. The article ultimately calls for cautious, incremental reforms aimed at strengthening underused venues without undermining the UPC’s efficiency or appeal.