A single European patent looks ever more likely as ministers reached important agreements on the detail of a unitary patent at the Competitiveness Council in Luxembourg. Ministers agreed general approaches on the Regulations, and they will be finally adopted later in the year. This will also allow any company or individual to protect their inventions through a single European patent valid in 25 countries.
The independent review of Intellectual Property and Growth by Professor Ian Hargreaves found that establishing a unitary patent would remove IP barriers between EU countries and could increase UK national income. A unitary patent and court system will save businesses time and money whether they are patent holders or those seeking to challenge patents.
Access further details from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Central Office of Information's (COI) News Distribution Service.