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European law firm Fieldfisher is part of a consortium of leading British patent litigation practices that is investigating the possibility of a non-EU member state remaining part of the Unified Patent Court (UPC).
David Knight, a partner in the firm's IP & Technology Protection and Enforcement group, said:
"Fieldfisher is part of the consortium with other pre-eminent British patent litigation practices that sought counsels' opinion on whether the United Kingdom could be a part of the UPC, even if no longer part of the EU. We are pleased that the opinion was to the effect that it can be.
"This is good - not just for UK patent litigation practices, but more importantly for users of the patent system in Europe. There can be little doubt that if the UK is not part of the UPC, the UPC will be of lesser benefit to users of the patent system - and one can expect lesser take-up of the UPC.
"That would have a detrimental effect across the EU, and we are hopeful therefore that there will be the political will to enable the UK to play its part in this wider European initiative."