This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
COURTING CONTROVERSY FRUSTRATING DELAYS TO THE


In March 2011, 25 out of the 27 EU member states (excluding Spain and Italy) fi nally agreed to enhanced cooperation in order to resolve the language regime and move towards the creation of a unifi ed patent protection system.


T e idea is to introduce a unitary patent that will coexist with the current European patent system and the national patent systems of the EU member countries. T e European Patent Offi ce (EPO), which already grants European patents, will also be granting EU patents. Accordingly, the unitary patent is to be issued under the rules and procedures laid down in the European Patent Convention (EPC). As is the case today, the specifi cation will be in one of the three offi cial languages (English, French and German) and the claims will be translated into the other two offi cial languages (eg, the specifi cation into English and the claims into French and German). When the EPO fi nds that the patent can be granted, the applicant can also decide to have a unitary patent and validate the patent in the EPC member states which have decided not to ratify the unitary patent agreements. T is proposal was supported by all the member states, except Spain and Italy. T e advantage of this proposal is that it does not require unanimity within the EU: member states that want to proceed, can proceed.


T is proposal will not require a change in the EPC. T e regulation of the unitary patent will, however, enter into force only when a unitary patent litigation system has been created.


National interests have always played a prominent role in the history of the EU. T e discussions relating to the EU patent regime are proof of the shortcomings of the EU decision- making process, since substantive arguments have been dismissed and political issues have infl uenced decisions throughout the project.


It is, therefore, not surprising for anyone who has followed the attempts to create a single EU patent and court system to fi nd that a fi nal agreement on the creation of a unitary patent litigation system that would cover at least 25 of the 27 EU member states,


“THE CAUSE OF THE HOLD-UP IS THE DISPUTE BETWEEN FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE UK OVER WHERE THE CENTRAL COURT SHOULD BE LOCATED.”


is set to be delayed by months. National interests (ie, those of certain countries) have again been put above the idea of creating the most effi cient, transparent and cost-eff ective EU patent regime possible.


T e cause of the hold-up is the dispute between France, Germany and the UK over where the central court should be located.


T e diplomatic discussion is presently preventing a cost-effi cient patent system for business at a time when the entire continent is on the verge of recession.


T e establishment of enhanced cooperation by 25 EU member states indicates that there is a strong political will to implement a unifi ed patent system, but it is important that the court procedure is clear. As soon as the location of the seat of the central division is agreed, the regulation is expected to be subject to plenary vote by the European parliament. If the parliament, as expected, votes in favour, the council may proceed to adopt the proposal into European law.


In a reply to a compulsory hearing, the Association of Danish Patent Agents (ADIPA) pronounced that it supports a unitary patent system that involves as many EU member states as possible. In principle, ADIPA also seconds the proposal regarding translation provisions but emphasises the material importance to Danish fi rms that the entire text of the EU patent is accessible in English.


36 World Intellectual Property Review January/February 2012


UNITARY PATENT Patent attorneys have been talking about a single EU patent for 40 years, because it could cut the costs of patent protection and help avoid legal confusion when dealing with national patent laws. But as Annalise Holme explains, political interests are threatening progress.


Also, the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) is very postitive about establishing a unitary patent system. DI expects that a unitary patent system could save the Danish corporate sector over DKK 100 million ($17.6 million) a year.


Denmark took over the EU Council Presidency from Poland in early January 2012. It is the job of the Danish Presidency to fi nalise the agreement on the Unitary Patent Court and fi nd a solution for where the central court should be located. T e plan is that both agreements will be signed during the Danish Presidency in the fi rst half of 2012.


T e court system will, at least in some countries, have to be approved later by the national parliaments. In Denmark, this will require a fi ve out of six majority in the parliament. ■


Annelise Holme is a European patent attorney and partner at Holme Patent A/S. She can be contacted at: ah@holmepatent.dk


Annelise Holme earned her Master’s degree from the Institute of Microbiology at the Technical University of Denmark. She specialised in infection microbiology. Her expertise includes the preparation, fi ling, and proceedings of national and international patent applications with respect to pharmacology, biotechnology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering and immunology. She is also a C5 (formerly Euroforum) speaker in IP matters and has made several contributions to the Handbook of European Intellectual Property Management.


www.worldipreview.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100