Romania will join the Unitary Patent and UPC system on September 1, 2024

On September 1, 2024, Romania will become the 18th state in the Unitary Patent (UP) and Unified Patent Court (UPC) system. As a result, any UP registered on or after September 1 will cover 18 States, including Romania. This change has no effect on UPs registered before this date.

From September 1, 2024, the following countries will be part of the UP and UPC system: Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Portugal; Romania; Slovenia and Sweden.

Obtaining protection through classic national validation of a European patent without unitary effect will remain possible in Romania. However, this will require a full translation of the patent into Romanian, increasing costs, which can be avoided if a UP is preferred.

The experts of Beau de Loménie remain available for further information and advices on this forthcoming change and on the actions to be considered.