The Unified Patent Court (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2017 was laid before Parliament on 26 June 2017 – see the explanatory memorandum here. This Order implements the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the UPC (the Protocol) and confers legal status in the UK on the United Patent Court and privileges and immunities on the Court, its judges and staff under the International Organisations Act 1968 (which allows the grant of certain immunities and privileges to the international organisation and its officers and employees). This Order needs to be passed before the UK can ratify the Protocol as well as the UPC Agreement itself. However, both Houses of Parliament will be required to debate the measure before approving it and it will also need the approval of the Privy Council.
As we have reported on our Intellectual Property Notes blog and on our UPC Hub here, the timetable for the UPC appears to be slipping, due not only to delays by the UK, in part due to the recent general election, but also the recent challenge to German ratification mounted in the German Constitutional Court. The UPC Preparatory Committee have withdrawn their 1 December 2017 start date and are as yet unable to confirm any further dates.
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