Lack of Community Patent 'significant barrier to innovation' 

The Communication will be presented to European heads of state and government at an informal meeting in Lahti, Finland, on 19-20 October 2006 and highlights a number of actions – already outlined in a ten-point action plan adopted in September (see EurActiv 14 September 2006) – that, according to the Commission, “have the potential to produce very significant benefits in a relatively short timescale”, if fully supported by member states. 

It declares that member states must make use of public-private partnerships and encourage the creation of regional clusters, stressing that the creation of a European Institute of Technology (which will be the subject of a new proposal on 18 October) will add value to national efforts to strengthen co-operation between universities, research centres and businesses. 

Member states must also make access to financing easier for SMEs and create a clear and coherent legal framework for IPR protection, states the Communication, which requests that the European Council set a time frame for adopting a Community Patent. 

Lastly, the Commission points to the role of governments in setting an example, by modernising their public administrations, ensuring that public buildings meet the highest standards and using their public-procurement systems to encourage innovative solutions.