Referendums

Joining patent court could add €1.6bn to economy annually, Ibec says as state calls for referendum

Voters will decide if Ireland will join the EU’s Unified Patent Court, which will allow firms challenge patents in 24 states by taking one legal case, in June

The unified patent court will have exclusive jurisdiction on cases involving disputes on European patents. Its central court will be based in Paris and Munich, but there will be a local division of the court in Ireland in the event that the referendum is passed. Picture: Getty

A referendum on the establishment of an Irish patent court will take place in June alongside the European and local elections, following approval by cabinet today.

The referendum is to allow Ireland to join the EU’s Unified Patent Court, which will allow Irish businesses to defend or challenge patents on products in 24 EU countries by taking one legal case, instead of having to apply separately in each country.

The government has estimated that this ...