{"id":16611,"date":"2026-08-12T09:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T09:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pruefer.eu\/?p=16611"},"modified":"2026-08-12T09:49:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T09:49:05","slug":"spotlight-on-managing-directors-epg-clarifies-the-limits-of-personal-liability-for-patent-infringement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pruefer.eu\/en\/2026\/08\/12\/spotlight-on-managing-directors-epg-clarifies-the-limits-of-personal-liability-for-patent-infringement\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotlight on Managing Directors: EPG clarifies the limits of personal liability for patent infringement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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\n \"Lady<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

In the \u201cBelkin v. Philips\u201d decision (UPC_CoA_534\/2024), the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court has, for the first time across Europe, specified the conditions under which managing directors may be held personally liable for patent infringements. For company management, the ruling provides greater legal certainty\u2014but also sets clear requirements for compliance and response obligations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The decision by the Court of Appeal of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) in the \u201cBelkin v. Philips\u201d case provides, for the first time, Europe-wide clarity on the personal liability of managing directors in cases of patent infringement. This ruling is directly relevant to managing directors and board members of companies operating in the European single market.<\/p>\n

Key Points of the Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n

The EPG Court of Appeals rejects the notion that managing directors are automatically personally liable for patent infringements committed by the company. Crucially, the mere fact of holding an executive position and fulfilling general management and organizational duties is not sufficient to establish personal liability. Liability may only be considered if the managing director<\/p>\n