The Swedish Riksdag has approved the government’s proposal for a new patent law, including related amendments to other legislation. The changes address what types of inventions may be patented and outline both the scope and limits of exclusive patent rights.

The new Patent Act aligns several provisions with the European Patent Convention and the Unified Patent Court agreement. Additionally, it introduces two new exceptions to a patent holder’s exclusive rights: one for plant breeding and another for the use of computer programs.

Rules regarding patent application procedures have also been revised to streamline processing and improve clarity.

The new Patent Act and related legal changes will take effect on January 1, 2025.