docs: add Patentprozesskostenrechner implementation plan
Comprehensive analysis of the Excel-based patent litigation cost calculator with implementation plan for the web version: - Fee calculation logic (GKG/RVG step-based accumulator, all multipliers) - Exact fee schedule data for all 5 versions (extracted from Excel) - UPC fee structure research (fixed fees, value-based brackets, recoverable costs) - Architecture: new page at /kosten/rechner within KanzlAI-mGMT (pure frontend) - Complete input/output specifications - 3 bugs to fix from the Excel (VAT formula, wrong fee type, missing expert fees) - Side-by-side DE vs UPC cost comparison data
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# UPC Fee Structure Research
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> Research date: 2026-03-31
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> Status: Complete (pre-2026 tables verified from official sources; 2026 amendments documented with confirmed changes)
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> Purpose: Data for implementing a patent litigation cost calculator
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## Overview
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The UPC fee system consists of:
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1. **Fixed fees** (always due, depend on action type)
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2. **Value-based fees** (additional, for infringement-type actions with value > EUR 500,000)
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3. **Recoverable costs ceilings** (caps on lawyer fees the losing party must reimburse)
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Legal basis: Rule 370 RoP (court fees), Rule 152 RoP (recoverable costs), Art. 69 UPCA (cost allocation).
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---
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## 1. Fixed Court Fees (Court of First Instance)
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### Pre-2026 Schedule (actions filed before 1 Jan 2026)
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| Action Type | Fixed Fee |
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|---|---|
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| Infringement action | EUR 11,000 |
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| Counterclaim for infringement | EUR 11,000 |
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| Declaration of non-infringement | EUR 11,000 |
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| Compensation for license of right | EUR 11,000 |
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| Application to determine damages | EUR 3,000 |
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| **Standalone revocation action** | **EUR 20,000** (flat, no value-based fee) |
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| **Counterclaim for revocation** | **EUR 20,000** (flat, no value-based fee) |
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| Application for provisional measures | EUR 11,000 |
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| Order to preserve evidence | EUR 350 |
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| Order for inspection | EUR 350 |
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| Order to freeze assets | EUR 1,000 |
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| Protective letter filing | EUR 200 |
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| Protective letter extension (per 6 months) | EUR 100 |
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| Action against EPO decision | EUR 1,000 |
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| Re-establishment of rights | EUR 350 |
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| Review case management order | EUR 300 |
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| Set aside decision by default | EUR 1,000 |
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### 2026 Schedule (actions filed from 1 Jan 2026)
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~33% increase across the board:
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| Action Type | Old Fee | New Fee (2026) | Change |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| Infringement action | EUR 11,000 | **EUR 14,600** | +33% |
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| Counterclaim for infringement | EUR 11,000 | **EUR 14,600** | +33% |
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| Declaration of non-infringement | EUR 11,000 | **EUR 14,600** | +33% |
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| Standalone revocation action | EUR 20,000 | **EUR 26,500** | +33% |
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| Counterclaim for revocation | EUR 20,000 | **EUR 26,500** | +33% |
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| Application for provisional measures | EUR 11,000 | **EUR 14,600** | +33% |
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| Application to determine damages | EUR 3,000 | **EUR 4,000** | +33% |
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| Order to preserve evidence | EUR 350 | **EUR 5,000** | +1,329% |
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| Order for inspection | EUR 350 | **EUR 5,000** | +1,329% |
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| Order to freeze assets | EUR 1,000 | **EUR 5,000** | +400% |
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| Protective letter filing | EUR 200 | **EUR 300** | +50% |
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| Protective letter extension | EUR 100 | **EUR 130** | +30% |
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| Application for rehearing | EUR 2,500 | **EUR 14,600** | +484% |
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**Key 2026 change**: Provisional measures now also have a **value-based fee** (new). The value is deemed to be 2/3 of the value of the merits proceedings.
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---
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## 2. Value-Based Fees (Additional to Fixed Fee)
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Applies to: infringement actions, counterclaim for infringement, declaration of non-infringement, compensation for license of right, application to determine damages.
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Does NOT apply to: revocation actions (standalone or counterclaim) -- these are flat fee only.
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### Pre-2026 Value-Based Fee Table
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| Value of the Action | Additional Value-Based Fee |
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|---|---|
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| <= EUR 500,000 | EUR 0 |
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| <= EUR 750,000 | EUR 2,500 |
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| <= EUR 1,000,000 | EUR 4,000 |
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| <= EUR 1,500,000 | EUR 8,000 |
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| <= EUR 2,000,000 | EUR 13,000 |
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| <= EUR 3,000,000 | EUR 20,000 |
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| <= EUR 4,000,000 | EUR 26,000 |
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| <= EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 32,000 |
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| <= EUR 6,000,000 | EUR 39,000 |
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| <= EUR 7,000,000 | EUR 46,000 |
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| <= EUR 8,000,000 | EUR 52,000 |
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| <= EUR 9,000,000 | EUR 58,000 |
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| <= EUR 10,000,000 | EUR 65,000 |
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| <= EUR 15,000,000 | EUR 75,000 |
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| <= EUR 20,000,000 | EUR 100,000 |
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| <= EUR 25,000,000 | EUR 125,000 |
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| <= EUR 30,000,000 | EUR 150,000 |
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| <= EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 250,000 |
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| > EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 325,000 |
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Source: Maiwald MAIinsight April 2025 (verified against commentedupc.com and official UPC fee table AC/05/08072022).
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### 2026 Value-Based Fee Table (estimated)
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The 2026 amendment increases value-based fees by ~32% at first instance and ~45% on appeal. Applying the 32% increase:
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| Value of the Action | Old Fee | New Fee (est. ~32%) |
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|---|---|---|
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| <= EUR 500,000 | EUR 0 | EUR 0 |
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| <= EUR 750,000 | EUR 2,500 | ~EUR 3,300 |
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| <= EUR 1,000,000 | EUR 4,000 | ~EUR 5,300 |
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| <= EUR 1,500,000 | EUR 8,000 | ~EUR 10,600 |
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| <= EUR 2,000,000 | EUR 13,000 | ~EUR 17,200 |
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| <= EUR 3,000,000 | EUR 20,000 | ~EUR 26,400 |
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| <= EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 32,000 | ~EUR 42,200 |
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| <= EUR 10,000,000 | EUR 65,000 | ~EUR 85,800 |
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| <= EUR 30,000,000 | EUR 150,000 | ~EUR 198,000 |
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| <= EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 250,000 | ~EUR 330,000 |
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| > EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 325,000 | ~EUR 429,000 |
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**Note**: The official consolidated 2026 fee table PDF was not extractable (403 on UPC website). The Maiwald blog confirms: for a dispute valued at EUR 5M, total court fees (fixed + value-based) went from EUR 43,000 to EUR 44,600, suggesting the 2026 value-based fee for <=5M is EUR 30,000 (i.e., 14,600 + 30,000 = 44,600). This is close to the ~32% estimate. When the exact 2026 table becomes available, these estimates should be replaced.
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**Verified 2026 data point** (Secerna): For a typical infringement action valued at EUR 2,000,000, total court fees increase from EUR 24,000 to EUR 31,800. This means: new value-based fee for <=2M = 31,800 - 14,600 = EUR 17,200 (vs. old: 13,000 + 11,000 = 24,000).
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---
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## 3. Appeal Fees (Court of Appeal)
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### Pre-2026
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| Appeal Type | Fixed Fee | Value-Based Fee |
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|---|---|---|
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| Appeal on infringement action | EUR 11,000 | Same table as CFI |
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| Appeal on counterclaim for infringement | EUR 11,000 | Same table as CFI |
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| Appeal on non-infringement declaration | EUR 11,000 | Same table as CFI |
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| Appeal on license compensation | EUR 11,000 | Same table as CFI |
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| Appeal on damages determination | EUR 3,000 | Same table as CFI |
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| Appeal on revocation action | EUR 20,000 | None |
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| Appeal on counterclaim for revocation | Same as first instance | None |
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| Appeal on provisional measures | EUR 11,000 | None |
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| Appeal on other interlocutory orders | EUR 3,000 | None |
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| Application for rehearing | EUR 2,500 | None |
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| Appeal on cost decision | EUR 3,000 | None |
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| Leave to appeal costs | EUR 1,500 | None |
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| Discretionary review request | EUR 350 | None |
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### 2026 Appeal Changes
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- Fixed fees: ~33% increase (same as CFI)
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- Value-based fees: ~45% increase (10% more than CFI increase)
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- Revocation appeal: EUR 20,000 -> EUR 29,200 (+46%)
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- Rehearing application: EUR 2,500 -> EUR 14,600 (+484%)
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---
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## 4. Recoverable Costs (Attorney Fee Ceilings)
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Per Rule 152(2) RoP and the Administrative Committee's Scale of Ceilings. These are caps on what the winning party can recover from the losing party for legal representation costs. Apply **per instance**.
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| Value of the Proceedings | Ceiling for Recoverable Costs |
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|---|---|
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| <= EUR 250,000 | EUR 38,000 |
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| <= EUR 500,000 | EUR 56,000 |
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| <= EUR 1,000,000 | EUR 112,000 |
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| <= EUR 2,000,000 | EUR 200,000 |
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| <= EUR 4,000,000 | EUR 400,000 |
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| <= EUR 8,000,000 | EUR 600,000 |
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| <= EUR 16,000,000 | EUR 800,000 |
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| <= EUR 30,000,000 | EUR 1,200,000 |
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| <= EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 1,500,000 |
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| > EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 2,000,000 |
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### Ceiling Adjustments
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The court may **raise** the ceiling upon party request:
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- Up to **50% increase** for cases valued up to EUR 1 million
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- Up to **25% increase** for cases valued EUR 1-50 million
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- Up to an **absolute cap of EUR 5 million** for cases valued above EUR 50 million
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The court may **lower** the ceiling if it would threaten the economic existence of a party (SMEs, non-profits, universities, individuals).
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### What is recoverable
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- Lawyer fees (Rechtsanwalt)
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- Patent attorney fees (Patentanwalt)
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- Expert fees
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- Witness costs
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- Interpreter and translator fees
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- Note: Expert/translator/witness fees are NOT subject to the ceiling -- they must be reasonable but are recoverable on top of the ceiling
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---
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## 5. SME / Micro-Enterprise Reductions
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### Pre-2026
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- Small and micro enterprises: **40% reduction** on all court fees (pay 60%)
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- Conditions per Rule 370(8) RoP
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### 2026
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- Increased to **50% reduction** (pay 50%)
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### Legal Aid
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- Available in principle under Rule 375 et seq. RoP
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---
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## 6. Comparison: UPC vs. German National Courts
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### German Court Fee Calculation (GKG)
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German court fees are calculated using **Anlage 2 zu § 34 GKG**:
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- Fee table covers Streitwert up to EUR 500,000 (base fee at 500k: EUR 4,138)
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- Above EUR 500,000: fee increases by **EUR 210 per each additional EUR 50,000**
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- This gives a "simple fee" (einfache Gebuehr)
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- Actual court fees = simple fee x multiplier from Kostenverzeichnis
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**Multipliers** for patent cases:
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- LG infringement, 1st instance: **3.0x** simple fee
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- OLG appeal (Berufung): **4.0x** simple fee
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- BPatG nullity, 1st instance: **4.5x** simple fee (separate proceedings!)
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- BGH nullity appeal: **6.0x** simple fee
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### GKG Simple Fee Calculation for Key Streitwerte
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Formula for Streitwert > 500,000: `4,138 + ceil((Streitwert - 500,000) / 50,000) * 210`
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| Streitwert | Simple Fee | LG 1st (3.0x) | OLG Appeal (4.0x) |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| EUR 500,000 | EUR 4,138 | EUR 12,414 | EUR 16,552 |
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| EUR 1,000,000 | EUR 6,238 | EUR 18,714 | EUR 24,952 |
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| EUR 2,000,000 | EUR 10,438 | EUR 31,314 | EUR 41,752 |
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| EUR 3,000,000 | EUR 14,638 | EUR 43,914 | EUR 58,552 |
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| EUR 5,000,000 | EUR 23,038 | EUR 69,114 | EUR 92,152 |
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| EUR 10,000,000 | EUR 44,038 | EUR 132,114 | EUR 176,152 |
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| EUR 30,000,000 | EUR 128,038 | EUR 384,114 | EUR 512,152 |
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| EUR 50,000,000 | EUR 212,038 | EUR 636,114 | EUR 848,152 |
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Note: GKG was updated effective 01.06.2025 -- the increment changed from EUR 198 to EUR 210 per 50k.
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### German Attorney Fees (RVG)
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RVG fees use the same Streitwert table (§ 13 RVG with Anlage 2 GKG) but with their own multipliers:
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- Verfahrensgebuehr (procedural fee): 1.3x
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- Terminsgebuehr (hearing fee): 1.2x
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- Einigungsgebuehr (settlement fee): 1.0x (if applicable)
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- Patent attorney (Patentanwalt) adds same fees again
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Recoverable costs in Germany = court fees + 1 Rechtsanwalt (RVG) + 1 Patentanwalt (RVG).
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### Side-by-Side Comparison
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#### Example: Infringement action, Streitwert EUR 1,000,000
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| Cost Component | UPC (pre-2026) | UPC (2026) | Germany LG |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| Court fees | EUR 15,000 | ~EUR 19,900 | EUR 18,714 |
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| Max recoverable attorney costs | EUR 112,000 | EUR 112,000 | ~EUR 30,000* |
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| **Total cost risk (loser)** | **~EUR 127,000** | **~EUR 131,900** | **~EUR 48,714** |
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#### Example: Infringement action, Streitwert EUR 3,000,000
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| Cost Component | UPC (pre-2026) | UPC (2026) | Germany LG |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| Court fees | EUR 31,000 | ~EUR 41,000 | EUR 43,914 |
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| Max recoverable attorney costs | EUR 400,000 | EUR 400,000 | ~EUR 100,388** |
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| **Total cost risk (loser)** | **~EUR 431,000** | **~EUR 441,000** | **~EUR 144,302** |
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*German RVG: 1x RA (1.3 VG + 1.2 TG) + 1x PA (same) + Auslagenpauschale + USt on Streitwert EUR 1M
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**Maiwald comparison figure for EUR 3M (1x PA + 1x RA, including court fees, based on RVG)
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#### Example: Infringement action, Streitwert EUR 10,000,000
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| Cost Component | UPC (pre-2026) | UPC (2026) | Germany LG |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| Court fees | EUR 76,000 | ~EUR 100,400 | EUR 132,114 |
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| Max recoverable attorney costs | EUR 600,000 | EUR 600,000 | ~EUR 222,000 |
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| **Total cost risk (loser)** | **~EUR 676,000** | **~EUR 700,400** | **~EUR 354,114** |
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### Key Insight
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- **Court fees**: German courts are **more expensive** than UPC for court fees alone at moderate Streitwerte (EUR 1-5M). At very high Streitwerte (EUR 10M+), German courts become more expensive still.
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- **Recoverable attorney costs**: UPC is **dramatically more expensive** -- ceilings are 3-5x higher than German RVG-based costs.
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- **Total cost risk**: UPC total exposure is typically **2-3x German courts** for the same Streitwert, primarily driven by the high attorney cost ceilings.
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- **Territorial scope**: UPC covers multiple countries in one action, so the higher cost may be justified by the broader geographic effect compared to a single German LG action.
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---
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## 7. Implementation Notes for Calculator
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### Data structures needed
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```typescript
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// Value-based fee brackets (UPC)
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interface FeeBracket {
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maxValue: number; // upper bound of bracket (Infinity for last)
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fee: number; // EUR amount
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}
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// Pre-2026 brackets
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const upcValueFees2025: FeeBracket[] = [
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{ maxValue: 500_000, fee: 0 },
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{ maxValue: 750_000, fee: 2_500 },
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{ maxValue: 1_000_000, fee: 4_000 },
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{ maxValue: 1_500_000, fee: 8_000 },
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{ maxValue: 2_000_000, fee: 13_000 },
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{ maxValue: 3_000_000, fee: 20_000 },
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{ maxValue: 4_000_000, fee: 26_000 },
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{ maxValue: 5_000_000, fee: 32_000 },
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{ maxValue: 6_000_000, fee: 39_000 },
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{ maxValue: 7_000_000, fee: 46_000 },
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{ maxValue: 8_000_000, fee: 52_000 },
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{ maxValue: 9_000_000, fee: 58_000 },
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{ maxValue: 10_000_000, fee: 65_000 },
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{ maxValue: 15_000_000, fee: 75_000 },
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{ maxValue: 20_000_000, fee: 100_000 },
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{ maxValue: 25_000_000, fee: 125_000 },
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{ maxValue: 30_000_000, fee: 150_000 },
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{ maxValue: 50_000_000, fee: 250_000 },
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{ maxValue: Infinity, fee: 325_000 },
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];
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// Recoverable costs ceilings
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const upcRecoverableCosts: FeeBracket[] = [
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{ maxValue: 250_000, fee: 38_000 },
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{ maxValue: 500_000, fee: 56_000 },
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{ maxValue: 1_000_000, fee: 112_000 },
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{ maxValue: 2_000_000, fee: 200_000 },
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{ maxValue: 4_000_000, fee: 400_000 },
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{ maxValue: 8_000_000, fee: 600_000 },
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{ maxValue: 16_000_000, fee: 800_000 },
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{ maxValue: 30_000_000, fee: 1_200_000 },
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{ maxValue: 50_000_000, fee: 1_500_000 },
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{ maxValue: Infinity, fee: 2_000_000 },
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];
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// German GKG simple fee calculation
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function gkgSimpleFee(streitwert: number): number {
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if (streitwert <= 500_000) {
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// Use lookup table from Anlage 2 GKG
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return gkgLookupTable(streitwert);
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}
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// Above 500k: base + 210 EUR per 50k increment
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const base = 4_138; // simple fee at 500k (as of 2025-06-01)
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const excess = streitwert - 500_000;
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const increments = Math.ceil(excess / 50_000);
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return base + increments * 210;
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}
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// German court fee = simple fee * multiplier
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// LG 1st instance infringement: 3.0x
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// OLG appeal: 4.0x
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// BPatG nullity 1st: 4.5x
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// BGH nullity appeal: 6.0x
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```
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### Fixed fees by action type (for calculator dropdown)
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```typescript
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type ActionType =
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| 'infringement'
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| 'counterclaim_infringement'
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| 'non_infringement'
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| 'license_compensation'
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| 'determine_damages'
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| 'revocation_standalone'
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| 'counterclaim_revocation'
|
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| 'provisional_measures'
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| 'preserve_evidence'
|
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| 'inspection_order'
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| 'freeze_assets'
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| 'protective_letter'
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||||
| 'protective_letter_extension';
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interface ActionFees {
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fixedFee2025: number;
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fixedFee2026: number;
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hasValueBasedFee: boolean;
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hasValueBasedFee2026: boolean; // provisional measures gained value-based in 2026
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}
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```
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||||
---
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## Sources
|
||||
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||||
- Maiwald MAIinsight Issue No. 2, April 2025: "Court fees and recoverable costs at the UPC" (PDF, authoritative practitioner analysis)
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- UPC Official Table of Court Fees: AC/05/08072022 (original schedule)
|
||||
- UPC Administrative Committee amendment decision, 4 Nov 2025 (2026 changes)
|
||||
- commentedupc.com/table-of-court-fees/ (complete pre-2026 table)
|
||||
- Scale of Ceilings for Recoverable Costs: D-AC/10/24042023
|
||||
- GKG Anlage 2 zu § 34 (German court fee table, as of 01.06.2025)
|
||||
- Secerna: "Major Financial Overhaul: Significant UPC Fee Increase" (2026 data points)
|
||||
- Casalonga: "Unified Patent Court: Significant Increase in Court Costs in 2026"
|
||||
- Bird & Bird: "Unified Patent Court Fees increase from 1 January 2026"
|
||||
- Vossius: "Costs and Cost Risk in UPC Proceedings"
|
||||
- Haug Partners: "A U.S. View on the UPC -- Part 5: Of Costs and Fees"
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user