CJEU Advocate General: 25 member states can agree a unitary patent deal

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

CJEU Advocate General: 25 member states can agree a unitary patent deal

An important hurdle in the path of the unitary patent looks set to be dismantled after a key legal adviser at the Court of Justice of the EU said today that 25 member states should be able to press ahead with a deal without Italy and Spain

Last year the two countries asked Europe’s highest court to stop the European Council from pursuing the unitary patent package under the enhanced cooperation procedure.

The two countries are particularly unhappy about the proposal to make English, French and German the official languages of the unitary patent system.

Today Advocate General Bot said that the question of the language arrangements for the unitary patent “is not a condition that determines the validity of the decision authorising enhanced cooperation” and advised the Court to rule that Italy and Spain’s request to prevent the use of the enhanced cooperation procedure is inadmissible.

Italy and Spain had argued that enhanced cooperation procedure authorised by the Council would undermine the internal market and economic, social and territorial cohesion; constitute a barrier to trade between member states; and distort competition between them.

But Bot dismissed their claims. “To my mind there is no evidence that it would do so: indeed, it would do precisely the opposite,” he wrote.

Although the Court is not obliged to follow the Advocate General’s advice, it does in the majority of cases.

The Court of Justice is expected to rule in the case next year.

Keep up to date with all the unitary patent developments by bookmarking Managing IP's dedicated unitary patent page.






more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Kelly Thompson, chair of South African firm Adams & Adams, discusses self-belief, self-doubt, and the importance of saying yes
The renowned food brands were represented by a host of lawyers, including members of the firms’ IP teams
Partners at Bird & Bird and Taylor Wessing discuss how Saudi Arabia offers unique opportunities for firms dealing in IP and tech
Attorneys explain why there are early signs that the US Supreme Court could rule in favour of ISP Cox in a copyright dispute
A swathe of UPC-related hires suggests firms are taking the forum seriously, as questions over the transitional stage begin
A win for Nintendo in China and King & Spalding hiring a prominent patent litigator were also among the top talking points
Rebecca Newman at Addleshaw Goddard, who live-reported on the seminal dispute, unpicks the trials and tribulations of the case and considers its impact
Attorneys predict how Lululemon’s trade dress and design patent suit against Costco could play out
Lawyers at Linklaters analyse some of the key UPC trends so far, and look ahead to life beyond the transition period
David Rodrigues, who previously worked at an IP boutique, said he may become more involved in transactional work at his new firm
Gift this article