This isn't how Team UPC predicted it would go down...

Summary: With two of the largest economies in Europe unable to ratify the UPC (oopsie), doubts about the Unified Patent Court (UPC) grow and it's not clear if it will ever become a reality at all (anywhere)

THE British general election was bound to cause a disaster to the UPC and it definitely was, as we explained yesterday. Now it's Germany's turn to deal a death blow, bearing in mind that Germany cannot press on without the UK (as the UPC in its current form is highly if not strictly dependent on the UK).

Some time ago we took note of Constitutional issues regarding the UPC, specifically but not only in Germany. Benjamin Henrion has in fact stressed this many times before. As for Germans, they don't want the UPC; heck, many of them barely tolerate the EPO and days ago there was a protest against the EPO for granting patents on seeds (photos from the protest in Germany have just been uploaded).

"...British general election was bound to cause a disaster to the UPC and it definitely was, as we explained yesterday."The latest development we first became aware of thanks to Eleonora Rosati, who wrote a couple of quick tweets [1, 2] linking to this report from Germany. "Major news," it stated, "German Federal Constitutional Court stops Unitary Patent..."

"So I was right all along," I told her, "wasn't I? Unlike Bristows, the liars..."

She happens to write in the same blog as those liars (IP Kat), but she should not be held accountable for Bristows' record of never-ending lies, including about Germany.

IP Kat tweeted about this and later on Mark Schweizer, whom we trust, wrote a quick blog post about it. Jane Mutimear quickly commented to say: "Our understanding is that this is an agreement by the Office of the President to suspend ratification pending the Court's determination of the issue in the ongoing expedited proceedings before it. The Court has not yet reached a decision."

"Now it's Germany's turn to deal a death blow, bearing in mind that Germany cannot press on without the UK (as the UPC in its current form is highly if not strictly dependent on the UK)."This is an important clarification and the subject of an ongoing conversation there. Here is Tom Mitcheson explaining [1, 2]: “Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) has asked Federal President not to pass the laws already approved by Bundestag and Bundesrat. Karlsruhe was advocated, because a hitherto unknown private person had brought constitutional complaint.”

Some EPO insiders told us about the seminal article, "BVerfG stoppt EU-Patent," and others clarified the meaning: "Asked the president not to sign it yet - not quite stopped."

Well, it's certainly a barrier nonetheless and Battistelli is running out of time (see the latest report from Heise). "They cannot go ahead without the UK anyway," I replied, "and it's in shambles here." (politically)

Henrion then weighed in and EPO insiders replied with: "Not yet, it's postponed" (technically yes, but this could be a mortal blow).

"Some time ago we took note of Constitutional issues regarding the UPC, specifically but not only in Germany."The outcome now depends on what we do about it, always in the face of many lies from the likes of Bristows and politicians they mislead so as to get papers mindlessly signed.

"They postponed the decision," the insider continued, "but in the end they will not go on with it..."

"Yes," I responded, "they are losing momentum. The morale games are being played cleverly by CIPA (now INSIDE IP Kat), Bristows etc."

CIPA's 'infiltration' into IP Kat is a subject we'll cover separately, hopefully later tonight.

"The outcome now depends on what we do about it, always in the face of many lies from the likes of Bristows and politicians they mislead so as to get papers mindlessly signed."Axel Horns wrote: "[In English] Tomorrow F.A.Z will run a report saying that German Constitutional Court may object to #UPC, asking Steinmeier not to sign..."

"Let's wait and see if the FAZ tells us what the case is based on," someone responded to him after had he reminded folks of Siegfried Broß's opposition to the UPC: "Within this context, see also http://kluwerpatentblog.com/2017/05/25/rule-law-epo-ugly-writing-wall/?platform=hootsuite&print=pdf … #Bross #EPC"

Hendrik Wieduwilt ‏also mentioned the upcoming FAZ report: "EXKLUSIV: @BVerfG stoppt einheitliches EU-Patent; Karlsruhe hat BuPräsidenten gebeten, Gesetze nicht zu unterschreiben. Morgen in "FAZ"."

"Anyone in Germany can file such a complaint -- a move that we strongly encourage."Not even Dr. Luke McDonagh‏ overlooked such a major event.

"I guess Ingve filed a constitutional complaint," Henrion privately told me, adding that he is "looking to file one as well..."

Anyone in Germany can file such a complaint -- a move that we strongly encourage. It's easier for German residents to do so.

EPO staff whom we heard from is generally happy about the news. They know that the demise of the UPC may mean the exit of Battistelli and reversal of at least some of his controversial proposals, which clearly contravene the EPC. ⬆