Alan Jones
Director, Patents
The Unitary Patent
Simplified, cost-effective IP protection in participating EU states
Streamlined Protection Across Europe
The Unitary Patent (UP) offers businesses a new, efficient way to protect innovation across Europe. Instead of validating a European patent separately in multiple countries, the Unitary Patent provides uniform protection in all participating EU member states, through a single right with one renewal fee.
At Murgitroyd, we provide clear, practical guidance to help you decide whether the Unitary Patent is right for your portfolio, balancing cost savings against flexibility and risk.
With the Unified Patent Court now in operation, our attorneys are fully equipped to represent and defend your interests. Learn more about our expertise at the Unified Patent Court.
Key Benefits of the Unitary Patent
- One right, many countries: streamlined coverage across participating EU member states
- Cost-effective renewals: one central renewal fee at the EPO
- Simplified recordals: assignments, licences, or changes recorded once, not country by country
- Reduced translation requirements: a single translation filed centrally
For businesses filing in four or more EU countries, the Unitary Patent can provide significant savings and reduced administrative burden.
Strategic Considerations
Before deciding whether the Unitary Patent is right for you, it’s important to take a few strategic considerations into account. For example, you’ll want to think about the potential impact of centralised revocation, the continued need for national validations in certain non-participating countries, and the cost differential across the life of the patent.
Our experts can help you weigh these factors and advise on whether to proceed with a Unitary Patent, or continue with classic European validations, ensuring your strategy aligns with your commercial priorities.
Why Murgitroyd?
Choosing the right patent protection strategy under the Unitary Patent system is complex, but Murgitroyd makes it simple.
- We provide direct representation in 15 EU territories, meaning you don’t need to manage multiple local advisors. Our team handles filings, renewals, and recordals centrally on your behalf.
- With over 50 UPC representatives across our pan-European network of offices in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, Ireland, and beyond, we provide seamless support wherever your business operates.
- We deliver a tailored strategy for every client, reviewing your portfolio and advising on whether to choose unitary effect, national validations, or a combination, always aligning with your commercial goals.
- Our attorneys actively manage implementation for you, including renewals, assignment recordals, and translation requirements, ensuring the process is efficient and compliant.
With Murgitroyd, you gain not only guidance but a full-service partner who manages the detail for you, freeing you to focus on innovation and growth.
Our Unitary Patent specialists
Patent Renewals and the Unitary Patent
Renewal fees for unitary patents may be less expensive than for a ‘classic’ EP patent. Maintaining a unitary patent requires only one renewal fee paid to the EPO.
This means that:
- The unitary patent renewal fee will be approximately equivalent to the fees that had to be paid for four countries under the ‘classic’ EP system.
- The single annual fee will be ~€5k (cumulative) for the first ten years (of the 20-year term).
- Total fees for maintaining a unitary patent over the full 20-year term could be ~€35k. Compared to the total fees for maintaining a classic EP validated in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Italy, this is a potential saving of ~€1.7k.
Further significant cost advantages may arise in any post-grant assignments, which can be recorded centrally in the register of unitary patents administered by the EPO, rather than separately in each national register.
As the UK is no longer an EU territory, you will need to pay patent renewal costs where the UK is validated.
Patent Translations and the Unitary Patent
We are one of the few firms worldwide with a dedicated intellectual property translation team. This ensures our patent and other intellectual property translations are of the highest quality and technically accurate.
Our translations team can assist by providing accurate translations of patent documents, ensuring that your application meets the requirements of all participating member states in the Unitary Patent system.
Speak to an expert today
Take the first step toward streamlined European patent protection.