According to reports published on 11 June 2017, the German Federal Constitutional Court has requested the Federal President of Germany to refrain from signing the law that is necessary to ratify the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court (UPC). The president has agreed to comply with this request. The president's signing is the last step required for a law to come into force after it has already passed both legislative chambers in Germany.

Reasons for the Request

The German Federal Constitutional Court has based its request on account of two challenges to the law ratifying the UPC, namely a constitutional complaint and a parallel request for expedited proceedings filed by the same complainant. The decision to ask the president to postpone the signing, indicates that the Federal Constitutional Court might not view the challenges as outright unsuccessful. The Court has not yet announced a date when its decisions will be issued.

Background

The reasons brought forward in both challenges are unknown. Reports suggest that the challenges are based on concerns that the contemplated proceedings before the UPC might not comply with due process of law. Some voices claim that the decisions of the opposition division of the European Patent Office (EPO) would not be subject to review by state courts, and that the boards of appeal of the EPO would not be sufficiently independent from the administration of the EPO.

A Look Ahead

It is unlikely that the president will sign the law before a decision of the Federal Constitutional Court will have been handed down. Accordingly, the ratification of the UPC in Germany will likely be postponed to an unknown date.

Mayer Brown is a global legal services provider comprising legal practices that are separate entities (the "Mayer Brown Practices"). The Mayer Brown Practices are: Mayer Brown LLP and Mayer Brown Europe – Brussels LLP, both limited liability partnerships established in Illinois USA; Mayer Brown International LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales (authorized and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England and Wales number OC 303359); Mayer Brown, a SELAS established in France; Mayer Brown JSM, a Hong Kong partnership and its associated entities in Asia; and Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a Brazilian law partnership with which Mayer Brown is associated. "Mayer Brown" and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of the Mayer Brown Practices in their respective jurisdictions.

© Copyright 2017. The Mayer Brown Practices. All rights reserved.

This Mayer Brown article provides information and comments on legal issues and developments of interest. The foregoing is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide legal advice. Readers should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to the matters discussed herein.