2026 Winter Round Table (Patents)

Join UNION-IP, in cooperation with the DPMA, for an in-depth discussion on how timing shapes patent strategy before the EPO, the Unified Patent Court (UPC), and national courts. The event will take place at the prestigious DPMA Forum and will bring together judges, officials, and experienced practitioners to share insights on two key aspects of procedural timing.

on February 27, 2026
at the German Patent and Trademark Office [DPMAforum]
Zweibrückenstrasse 12, 80331 Munich (DE)

Panel 1
Strategic Timing at the EPO and Courts
What are the differences in timing between parallel proceedings before the European Patent Office (EPO) and the courts, in particular the Unified Patent Court (UPC) and national courts? This panel will explore how these differences may influence procedural strategy, and what practical lessons can be drawn.

This panel will count with the views and experience of:

• Addick Land, Judge at the Unified Patent Court
• Heli Pihlajamaa, Principal Director, European Patent Office
• Kristina Cornish, UK and European Patent Attorney, Partner at Pinsent Masons

and will be moderated by
Ariane Lessmann, Member of the Patents Commission of UNION-IP / German and European Patent Attorney at Alpspitz IP

Panel 2
Late-Filed Submissions
How late can submissions be filed before a patent office or a court – particularly the European Patent Office (EPO), the Unified Patent Court (UPC), and national courts or patent offices? This panel will examine the limits of late filing, including exceptions to the principle of front loading in such proceedings.

This panel will count with the views and experience of:

• Philipp Lanz, Chair of a technical board (Mechanics), Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office
• Ulrike Voß, Judge at the Unified Patent Court, Munich Section of the Central Division [TBC]
• Bryce Matthewson, UPC Representative and Patent litigator, Partner at Powell Gilbert

and will be moderated by
Rui Gomes, President of the Patents Commission of UNION-IP, Portuguese and European Patent Attorney, UPC Representative, at J. Pereira da Cruz

Interested?
You can access the registration form directly here on the website. Thank you very much!