The Unitary Patent

Once the unitary patent package (UP & UPC) enters into force, there will be three options to get patent protection in Europe:

1. Unitary patent
2. Classic bundle of national validations of the European patent
3. National patents granted by national offices

The unitary patent will not extend to non-participating member states, to countries that have not ratified the Agreement on the UPC, or to countries outside the European Union. If it is desired to cover these territories as well, a combination of the above options such as a unitary patent and national validations of the European patent will have to be used.