Towards a new scenario of cross-border patent litigation in Europe: international jurisdiction and distribution of competence in the Unified Patent Court

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to explain the rules in the Brussels I bis Regulation that will establish the international jurisdiction of the proposed Unified Patent Court, and the rules that distribute the competence among its different divisions. In relation with these latest rules, a comparative analysis with the grounds of jurisdiction in Brussels I Regulation bis is provided with the objective of assessing how cross-border patent litigation in Europe will change once the UPC Agreement enters into force. The conclusion is that the UPC Agreement will reduce the complexity of international litigation in this field, but it will not eradicate forum shopping or other problems of the existing regulation in relation to disputes connected with States where the Agreement is not applicable.