UPC CoA rejects UK interference: Amazon on losing track against InterDigital

Premium but free summary: UPC Court of Appeal says interference through UK interim licenses will not be tolerated: Amazon on losing track against InterDigital

The UPC CoA is inclined to throw out Amazon’s appeal against InterDigital’s anti-interference injunction and is sending out a strong message to judicial imperialists in the UK. The UPC is fully prepared to defend its jurisdiction.

Context: For the complex procedural history of the video patent licensing dispute between InterDigital and Amazon, let us refer you to our previous article on the subject (March 25, 2026 ip fray article).

What’s new: The Unified Patent Court’s (UPC) Court of Appeal (CoA) is hearing Amazon’s appeal today. After a confidential part that lasted approximately one hour, Presiding Judge Ulrike Voss (“Voß”) outlined the CoA’s preliminary assessment. While for purely procedural reasons the existing anti-interim-license injunction (AILI) is viewed as relating exclusively to interim licenses and not final relief, the UPC will not accept any interference by UK (or other foreign) courts with patent holder’s access to justice in the UPC. Even so-called declarations will not be condoned if they affect patent rights registered in the UPC’s contracting member states and could have, even if only indirectly, (in other words) a chilling effect on a patent holder’s decision to bring and litigate infringement claims in the UPC or enforce UPC judgments.

Direct impact & wider ramifications:

• If the CoA rules in accordance with the preliminary assessment, Amazon and other parties will no longer be able to leverage UK judicial imperialism against patent enforcement in the UPC.

• The CoA is defending fundamental rights against foreign usurpation.

• The fact that the existing injunction does not relate to “final relief” is of limited value to Amazon as explained below.

DEVELOPING STORY – will be updated throughout the hearing