The European Commission has announced today that Italy has now joined the Unitary patent, becoming the 26th member of the enhanced cooperation regime, i.e. the EU Regulations on creation of a European patent with unitary effect and the establishment of the applicable translation arrangements.  This follows Italy’s recent formal notification to the Council of the European Union that it intended to participate in the enhanced cooperation regime, and means Italy can now participate as a full member in the discussions of the EPO Select Committee, whose next meeting is on 13 and 14 October 2015.