The Irish government announced yesterday that a local division of the Unified Patent Court will be established in Ireland “in the event that the international agreement is ratified”.  Although reports in August had suggested that Ireland may hold a referendum next year on whether to ratify the UPC Agreement, yesterday’s announcement contained no information on ratification. In his announcement, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation stated that the new court would be an important boost for innovation in Ireland (and ultimately job creation), with businesses being able to resolve disputes over patents locally, more cheaply and more easily than before.  The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) issued a press release yesterday welcoming the decision to establish a UPC local division, having previously called on the government to do so.

Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation press release, 13 November 2014 – HERE
ISME press release, 13 November 2014 – HERE