EPO welcomes Italy’s move to join unitary patent
The European Patent Office (EPO) has welcomed Italy’s decision from earlier this year to join the unitary patent.
In a meeting in Rome, EPO president Benoît Battistelli joined Simona Vicari, Italy’s under-secretary of state to the Ministry of Economic Development, to discuss the upcoming introduction of the unitary patent.
In May, Italy revealed its decision to join the unitary patent and ratify the agreement on the Unified Patent Court.
Italy announced its intention to participate in the scheme after the Court of Justice of the European Union rejected a challenge to the regime by Spain.
In June, Italy’s parliament passed a resolution in favour of participating in the system and the country is now waiting for the European Council and Commission to formally accept its request.
Speaking during the meeting, held on Thursday, September 10, Battistelli welcomed Italy’s decision.
“Italy's recent decision to join the unitary patent is very good news for Europe,” he said. “For innovators patenting their inventions here, the addition of this important and large market to the new patent scheme will reinforce the attractiveness of the European market.”
Vicari added: “Italy’s decision to join the unitary patent is coherent with the government’s strategy aimed at strengthening investments in innovation and internationalisation, providing our companies with an additional tool for the protection of IP rights.”
