Romania Joins The Unitary Patent System On September 1

Romania will join the Unitary Patent (UP) system starting on September 1, 2024, following the deposit of its instrument of ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPCA) on 31 May 2024. Consequently, all European patents with unitary effect from September 1 will automatically include the coverage of Romania. This addition will raise the total number of the European Union (EU) Member States participating in the Unitary Patent system to 18.

The European Patent Office (EPO) president António Campino stated "Completing its ratification process on the eve of the first anniversary of the Unitary Patent system demonstrates the Romanian government's awareness of the benefits of the new patent system for the country's innovating businesses. It also underlines the relevance of the new patent system for all EU Member States looking to participate in the internal market for technologies and so to further European economic integration."