This article covers how Equinox helps you manage Unitary Patents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What's new?

We've updated Equinox with the following changes to help manage Unitary Patents:

  • A new country code 'UP' added for Unitary Patent cases

  • Two new system default history date fields

  • A 'Unitary Patent Countries' field listing the countries covered by the Unitary Patent


How does Equinox handle Unitary Patent history dates? 

We've added the following default history date fields for handling Unitary Patents:

  • Request for Unitary Effect
  • Registration of Unitary Effect

How do I add the date fields to case layouts?

You can add these fields to your cases via System > Case Layouts. 

You can access these fields in the report generator and output their content via merge codes in templates in the same way as other system date fields:

  • Request for Unitary Effect  - #H50DATE# 
  • Registration of Unitary Effect -  #H51DATE#


Note: These history dates are also available to use as base dates in your system pre-sets.


What information is in the 'Unitary Patent Countries' field?

This field lists all the countries that are covered by your Unitary Patent registration. It's automatically calculated based on the date entered in the ‘Registration of Unitary Effect’ field. When you populate this date, the list of countries will be generated and display in the Unitary Patent Countries field. The list of countries is based on the participating Member States that have ratified the UPCA on or before the Registration of Unitary Effect date that you have entered.

How do I add the Unitary Patent Countries field to Equinox?

You can add the Unitary Patent Countries field via System > Case Layouts. 

Where in Equinox can I access the country list from the Unitary Patent Countries field?

The data in the Unitary Patent Countries field is available for use in:

  • Merge codes (#UNITARYPATENTCOUNTRIES#)

  • Reports

  • Expressions

Is Unitary Patent information visible on Client Access?

Yes! Unitary Patent cases are visible in the regional data section on the client access homepage. The fields referenced above will also be visible on the case details page in client access if they are used in your Equinox case layouts.


What information is the Equinox IP Services team keeping an eye on?

Our IP Services team are storing and maintaining the following information relating to Unitary Patents:

  • The list of participating Member States and their date of ratification

  • The renewal laws for Unitary Patents

  • The renewal fees for Unitary Patents