United Kingdom

European patent holders can enforce theirrights in two forums: the appropriate UK civilcourt and the Intellectual Property Office(UKIPO), which is the official governmentbody responsible for granting IP rights in theUnited Kingdom. The civil courts include:• the specialist patent division of theHigh Court of England and Wales, whichtypically hears complex cases withpotentially high damages awards; and• the Patents County Court, which isintended to be a faster and lower-costroute to judgment for less complex cases.