Press release
03 December 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Patent issue on the agenda in Brussels
Tomorrow, 4 December, Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will chair the EU Competiveness Council in Brussels. The ambition is to achieve an agreement with regard to the controversial patent issue.
During the Council meeting, the ministers will conduct negotiations on an improved patent system in Europe. The proposal is about the possibility for companies to obtain protection throughout the EU by making a single application, through a common patent court being able to settle all patent disputes for all Member States. The EU patent (Community Patent) would mean providing protection throughout the EU, a market that comprises 500 million people.
"This is an important Council meeting we have ahead and I am very much hoping for progress on the patent issue. If companies can obtain a patent that is valid throughout the EU by means of a single application, we can reduce their costs and encourage them to create new inventions and develop their activities," says Dr Björling.
The patent issue has been discussed for more than 40 years and tomorrow it is hoped that a solution can be found that has the support of all the Member States. The ambition for the EU patent is to strengthen opportunities for innovation by making it cheaper and simpler for companies, thereby strengthening the EU's competitiveness in the global market.
Conclusions on the future of the internal market will also be adopted at the meeting. These will be about highlighting the potential of the services sector, promoting consumer mobility, and measures to link internal trade and regulations in the EU with those of the rest of the world.
