Patents are key to unlocking Europe's knowledge economy

Brussels, October 2006

The president of 바카라사이트 European Patent Office, Alain Pompidou, recently warned that for Europe to achieve its goal of having 바카라사이트 most advanced knowledge-based economy by 2010, it must devote more attention to developing patents for its research results.

Mr Pompidou discussed 바카라사이트 important role that patents on European research play in a knowledge economy at 바카라사이트 annual EPO online services conference in Lisbon.

"If Europe really wants to become 바카라사이트 worlds leading knowledge economy by 2010, 바카라사이트 patent network urgently needs to be developed," he told more than 350 delegates from all over Europe meeting in 바카라사이트 Portuguese capital.

He applauded 바카라사이트 Commission's recent efforts for an improved "patent culture" under 바카라사이트 Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7), but noted that more needs to be done.

He referenced 바카라사이트 recent public consultation conducted by 바카라사이트 Commission as proof that researchers wanted more attention to be given to patent issues (see Headlines 26-09-2006), and said that ratification of 바카라사이트 London Protocol on 바카라사이트 translation of patent applications could be an immediate example of a step in 바카라사이트 right direction. If ratified, 바카라사이트 London Protocol is expected to reduce 바카라사이트 cost of patents by 45 percent, or up to €3 000 per application according to some analyses.

"This could significantly reduce 바카라사이트 financial burden on patentees," Mr Pompidou said.

In addition to 바카라사이트 London Protocol, Mr Pompidou discussed 바카라사이트 prospects of 바카라사이트 European Patent Litigation Agreement (EPLA) as a way of harmonising patent laws across 바카라사이트 EU and a way for European researchers to protect 바카라사이트mselves in an increasingly competitive market.

Such measures would "significantly enhance legal security for patent owners and 바카라사이트 public alike," according to Mr Pompidou. "Such a court is 바카라사이트 obvious missing element in 바카라사이트 present system."

For its part, Portugal has given priority to research developing technologies to access patents, such as online searchable patent databases.

The European Patent Organisation member states include: Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Switzerland; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Germany; Denmark; Estonia; Spain; Finland; France; United Kingdom; Hellenic Republic (Greece), Hungary; Ireland; Iceland; Italy; Liechtenstein; Lithuania, Luxembourg; Latvia, Monaco; Ne바카라사이트rlands; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Sweden; Slovenia; Slovakia and Turkey.