Single EU patent moves closer to reality

A single European Union patent – which would give companies intellectual property protection across Europe – moved closer to reality on the 8 December 2010 when 10 countries formally asked the European Commission to consider establishing this even if all 27 member states did not support the idea.

On the 14 December 2010 the European Commission formally presented a proposal opening the way for 'enhanced cooperation' to create unitary patent protection in the EU.

EurActiv, 13.12.10: 23 countries join forces on patents: Will some opt out? http://www.euractiv.com/innovation/23-eu-countries-voice-support-patent-will-some-opt-out-news-500524

EUObserver, 10.12.10: Eleven states to move on single EU patent http://euobserver.com/9/31479

ESO: Background information: Patents http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-patents/

ESO: Background information: Statement by European Commissioner Barnier on the outcome of the Competitiveness Council on the issue of the European patent http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-statement-by-european-commissioner-barnier-on-the-outcome-of-the-competitiveness-council-on-the-issue-of-the-european-patent/

European Commission: Press Release: IP/10/1714: Patents: Commission opens the way for some Member States to move forward on a unitary patent http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1714&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

http://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/intellectual-property/patents/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/growth/industry/intellectual-property/patents/index_en.htm

EurActiv, 9.12.10: Italy isolated as ten countries unite on patents http://www.euractiv.com/innovation/pressure-italy-mounts-10-countries-sign-form-a-common-patent-news-500416

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