Tag: European Patent

Poland's European affairs minister said the "biggest disappointment" of his country's EU presidency, largely seen as successful under the difficult circumstances of the eurozone crisis, was the failure to take on board Bulgaria and Romania in the EU border-free Schengen area.

Italy and Spain yesterday (30 May) lodged a complaint with the European Court of Justice against attempts by other member states to introduce an EU patent without them.

European leaders will discuss proposals for a single patent regime during a summit in Brussels on Friday (4 February), ahead of a crucial ruling by the European Court of Justice which may bring down the entire project.

Reaching an agreement on the regulation of hedge funds is vital for the health of Europe's financial sector, says EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier. In an exclusive interview with EurActiv.fr, he also backs "new ideas" like eurobonds to finance EU growth policies.

Business groups hailed a landmark political deal in Brussels on Friday (4 December), as EU industry ministers agreed a package of measures which could pave the way for a European Community patent. However, there are concerns that the thorny issue of translation costs has merely been set aside and will be dealt with separately.

The European Commission is seeking powers from EU member states to conclude an agreement on a Unified Patent Litigation System (UPLS), which would establish a court with jurisdiction for existing European patents and the future Community patent system.

As Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy makes "one final effort" to break the impasse on the EU community patent, campaigners warn that the Commission's proposal could bring back software patents "through the back door".