20/10/2008

European Union. Commissioner Charlie McGreevy has given two speeches on protecting innovation in Europe

Charlie McGreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, recently stressed the need to adopt a Community Patent and a European Patent Judiciary at a conference on Industrial Property Rights in the Internal Market and at an event organised by Eurochambers.

According to the Commissioner, when protecting innovations, European companies are at a considerable competitive disadvantage as compared to companies of our main trading partners. The reason is that the current European patent is much more expensive than, for instance, a U.S. patent due to translation and processing costs. In addition, the litigation system is ineffective and extremely expensive. In situations of multiple suits in different countries concerning the same patent, such a system does not provide any access to justice for SMEs.

To solve these problems, the Commissioner believes that a Community Patent for the Single Market is needed. Such a system needs to be accompanied by a specialist patent jurisdiction that will provide for trans-national or EU-wide decisions. Substantial progress was made during the Slovenian Presidency on these issues. At present, the French Presidency and the Commission are continuing those efforts.

Related Links:
Speech at the conference on Industrial Property Rights in the Internal Market
Speech at the Eurochambers event