On June 1, the Unified Patent Court became operational and unitary patents are now available for filing. This book provides an overview of the unitary patent system and offers additional strategic considerations, especially regarding the questions: Should an "opt-out" be filed for existing European patents or not? Should the Unified Patent Court be invoked? How should proceedings before the Unified Patent Court be approached? How do I defend myself if I am attacked? It is a valuable aid for all those active in the field of patent protection in Europe, since, unlike a commentary, it provides comprehensive and concrete considerations from a strategic point of view and derives concrete proposals for action from them. In addition, several chapters of the book are devoted to the enforcement of judgments of the Unified Patent Court as well as to the comparison between the Unified Patent Court and the patent jurisdiction of the member states. For this purpose, well-known guest authors could be won. New: Consideration of all relevant amendments to the law Overview of national regulations in China, Korea, Japan and the USA Appendix with relevant legal texts Author: Prof. Dr. Aloys Hüttermann is a patent attorney in Düsseldorf, co-editor of the planned commentary on the unitary patent system and known as a specialist in this field through numerous lectures.

It is expected that in 2017 the Unified Patent Court will start its jurisdiction and also Unitary Patents will then be available.

This book gives an overview about this important field but also includes strategic considerations, especially concerning the questions:

Should I "opt-out" my European patents or not?
Should the Unified Patent Court be addressed?
How should a procedure before the Unified Patent Court be prosecuted?
How do I defend myself if I am attacked?
Two chapters of the book discuss the enforcement of decisions of the Unified Patent Court in Europe as well as comparing the Unitary Patent Package with national law. Here it was possible to gather notable guest authors, including Kim Finnilä and Pierre Véron.

For all involved in the field of patents in Europe this book is a valuable tool, especially because rather than being a textbook it carries out comprehensive and practical strategical considerations and from that gives concrete suggestions for measures one might need to take. It is directed to all active in the field of patents in Europe, including patent and R&D departments of companies as well as attorneys-at-law and patent attorneys in Europe and outside.