The European Commission has announced the launch of a consultation on future patent policy in Europe. The Community patent remains a priority, but the Commission wants to investigate what it can do in the meantime to limit barriers within the EU caused by patents. The consultation is focusing on three areas: the Community patent; how the current patent system in Europe could be improved and possible areas for harmonisation. Approximation of laws or mutual recognition of national patents are mentioned as possibilities. Stakeholders are invited to submit their comments by 31 March 2006.
The European Commissioners try out a spot of harmonisation
ZDNet reports that Sir Robin Jacob, speaking in typically forthright fashion before the consultation was announced, has spelled out why he thinks the previous attempts at introducing a Community patent have failed.
The IPKat isn’t holding his breath on this one…