Local Unified Patent Court good news for innovation in Ireland – Kyne

Fine Gael TD for Galway West, Sean Kyne, has today (Thursday) welcomed plans to establish a local division of the Unified Patent Court in Ireland. Deputy Kyne has raised the issue in the Oireachtas, believing that this development will add to Ireland’s reputation as a world-class location for innovation and business.

“The Unified Patent Court (UPC) is designed to make patenting of inventions and protection for those patents in Europe more streamlined, cost effective and to provide greater choice for European businesses. As soon as Ireland ratifies the international agreement which provides for the court, the local division can be established.

“I have raised this issue with Minister Richard Bruton on a number of occasions as I had concerns that the UPC in London could have the ability to make binding decisions for parties based in Ireland at a time of uncertainty regarding the position of the United Kingdom in the European Union.

“The confirmation that there will be an Irish division of the UPC will be a significant boost for innovation in Ireland, as it means that businesses involved in innovation activities will have the facility to resolve disputes around patents locally.

“The Court will provide the judicial system of enforcement for patents under a new European patent system. It provides patent protection in up to twenty-five EU Member States on the basis of a single streamlined patent application.

“The Court will also act as a support for businesses seeking to carry out R&D activities in Ireland. Vitally, SMEs will benefit, as the costs involved in enforcing intellectual property rights impact smaller businesses disproportionately and can act as a barrier to them engaging in R&D activities.

“This decision gives clarity to this issue and will have a positive impact on supporting innovation activity and continued job creation.”