This month, the government announced its decision to defer the referendum for ratifying the Unified Patent Court (UPC) agreement, originally scheduled to coincide with the Local and European elections in June. Recognising the complex nature of issues surrounding the Patent Court, the government cited the necessity for increased public engagement to inform the debate as the driving factor behind their decision.

The UPC holds jurisdiction over both new unitary patents and existing European ones, allowing companies to enforce their patent rights more effectively. Since its establishment last year, seventeen EU member states have joined and have reaped the benefits. Despite the deferment, the government remains steadfast in its commitment to Ireland’s potential participation in the UPC. The current focus is now to educate the electorate about the Patent Court and its potential advantages for Ireland's economy, particularly for small businesses, national competitiveness, and research and development.

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