At its inaugural meeting on 26 March, the Preparatory Committee has recognised that the Commission’s Spring 2014 target date for the grant of the first unitary patents, and the opening of the UPC will not be met. By letter dated 27 March (here), the Chair and Vice-chair of the Committee instead confirmed that early 2015 is now the target date. The letter also identifies five areas where work will be required namely: legal framework, financial aspects, IT, facilities, and human resources, where project teams will be formed. The next meeting of the Preparatory Committee will be in late May or early June.”