Aligning with the recently published implementation roadmap published by the Unified Patent Court (UPC), the EPO has decided to adjust the starting date of its transitional measures to 1 January 2023.
As of that date, patent applicants may file early requests for unitary effect and requests for a delay in issuing the decision to grant a European patent. The measures are applicable until the entry into operation of the Unitary Patent Protection system which is expected to be on 1 April 2023.
The two measures were introduced to support an early uptake of the Unitary Patent by the users.
For detailed information as to the requirements for these two measures, including some examples, please click HERE (English, Deutsch, Francais versions only).
The above information is from the official website, if there is any change, the official website shall prevail.