Octrooirecht  

IEF 3769

Herrijzend Gemeenschapsoctrooi

The European Commission has set out its vision, in the form of a Communication, for improving the patent system in Europe and for revitalising the debate on this issue. Making the Community patent a reality and improving the existing patent litigation system should, together with supporting measures, make the patent system more accessible and bring cost savings for all.

(…)The Communication is intended to draw operational conclusions from the stakeholder consultation and to allow the Council to launch deliberations on patent reforms, in particular on the Community patent and jurisdictional arrangements. It addresses various supporting measures for an improved patent system, such as patent quality, knowledge transfer and enforcement issues.

(…)Under these circumstances, the Commission believes that consensus could be built on the basis of an integrated approach which combines elements of both EPLA and a Community jurisdiction. The way forward could be to reflect on the creation of a unified and specialised patent judiciary, with competence for litigation on European patents and future Community patents. This system could be inspired by the EPLA model but could allow for integration in the Community jurisdiction. As a first step, work should concentrate on building consensus among Member States around principles on which consensus is emerging.

A separate and comprehensive Communication on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is planned for 2008, to complement the Patent Communication and address outstanding non-legislative and horizontal issues in all fields of intellectual property.

Lees het persbericht hier. Lees de Communication hier.

IEF 3763

EU Presidency / BDI Conference

Speech McCreevy 29 maart 2007, Berlijn

"A Europe of Innovation. Fit for the Future? Octrooirecht: When I took over as Commissioner, I promised to make one attempt on the Community patent dossier. That time has now come. I have proposed to the college of Commissioners that the Commission should adopt a Communication on possible ways forward to improve the patent system in Europe. That Communication is due to be adopted early next week.

Lees hier verder.

IEF 3748

De tijd is gekomen

Octrooirecht: Speech McCreevy 29 maart 2007, Berlijn. EU Presidency / BDI Conference  "A Europe of Innovation. Fit for the Future?

When I took over as Commissioner, I promised to make one attempt on the Community patent dossier. That time has now come. I have proposed to the college of Commissioners that the Commission should adopt a Communication on possible ways forward to improve the patent system in Europe. That Communication is due to be adopted early next week.

The Communication will make some suggestions on how the EU might move out of the current deadlock and increasingly polarised positions, into a more constructive phase of negotiations.

The Communication will not perform a magic trick. I will not be pulling a rabbit out of a hat next week when it is adopted. But I will be putting forward some constructive suggestions on the way forward, especially on the jurisdiction issue, together with a checklist of the different areas of patent policy which the EU needs to address. The Communication will provide a framework for discussions in the Council and the European Parliament.

The approach we take in the Communication is, in my view, the only realistic one. While our focus is on litigation issues, the Community patent has not been left aside. I have said that the Community patent and improvements to the current litigation system for European patents should not be mutually exclusive. Indeed our aim should be to ensure that they converge. If we can find a solution to the litigation issue, it should also be possible to resolve the Community patent issue by finding a consensus on translation arrangements.

On the litigation issue, we do not go for one or the other option for a litigation system which are currently on the table, but try to take the best elements from the different options. We have set out the key principles to be reflected in any compromise and sketched the outline for the features of a jurisdiction which could handle existing European patents and future Community patents. A jurisdiction which would take the best elements of the EPLA draft but be integrated into the Community framework. Our proposal does not reflect the view of one or the other country, but takes account of all views. I believe a true Community approach can be forged if we all roll up our sleeves and work constructively.

The principles which could form the foundations of the jurisdictional structure are as follows:

First, the patent jurisdiction should ensure an appropriate degree of proximity to the users and comprise a limited number of first instance chambers, together with a fully centralised appeal court.

The chambers, which could make use of existing national structures, should form an integral part of the single jurisdictional system.

Second, the jurisdiction would cover existing European and future Community patents. It should have competence for infringement and validity actions, as well as for related claims such as damages.

Third, the appeal court and the first instance chambers should work under common rules of procedure based on best practices in the Member States.

Fourth, the patent jurisdiction should comprise both legally and technically qualified judges who should enjoy full judicial independence.

Finally, the patent jurisdiction must respect the European Court of Justice as the final arbiter in matters of EU law, including questions related to the validity of the future Community patent.

Beyond the Community patent project and jurisdictional arrangements, we will also look at supporting measures for improving the patent system. Above all, we need to ensure patent quality in Europe, as the number of patents grows. We also need to improve access for SMEs to the patent system. It is therefore necessary to adapt the patent system to the specific needs of SMEs. Apart from addressing cost and litigation issues, this requires specific support for SMEs such as awareness-raising campaigns and actions aimed at improving knowledge of patent issues amongst SMEs.

I strongly believe that an improved patent system is vital if Europe is to fulfil its potential for innovation. My intention is to try and create some more fertile ground for a debate in the Council and European Parliament. I have made no secret of the fact that I think that the patent dossier is a very tough nut to crack. I also said in December last year that I’m long enough in politics to know that it is only if there is a will, that there will be a way.

If short-sightedness and selfish vested interests continue to prevail, the European reform agenda will fail and the European economy will suffer. I therefore call upon all concerned to assume their responsibilities, rise to the challenge and strive to find pragmatic and workable compromises. The Commission is doing its job and putting constructive suggestions on the table. It will then be for the German Presidency to take up the challenge and move the dossier forward, which I know it intends to do. The Commission stands ready to assist the Presidency.

The way forward will require constructive dialogue and compromise. Without a readiness of all parties to really try and resolve this issue in the common interest, we simply will not make any progress. I am aware that all the available options raise specific legal issues which need to be resolved once concrete proposals are made. But if there is indeed a will, then there will be a way.

The Commission will work with the Council and Parliament to build consensus on the way forward. I look forward to a close co-operation with the German Presidency in the coming weeks and months in order to promote our patent approach. If broad consensus can be achieved, we will take the necessary steps for implementing the approach and the make necessary proposals.

Time is running out to make out innovation policy in Europe fit for the future. If we don't act now, the future will be upon us and it will be too late. I sincerely hope that all involved will rise to the challenge.


Lees de hele speech hier.

IEF 3740

GPLv3

Persbericht: Derde draft GPL v3 uitgebracht door de Free Software Foundation. De FSF komt met een aantal wijzijgen:

- First-time violators can have their license automatically restored if they remedy the problem within thirty days.
- License compatibility terms have been simplified, with the goal of making them easier to understand and administer.
- New patent requirements have been added to prevent distributors from colluding with patent holders to provide discriminatory protection from patents.

Het is gedurende 60 dagen mogelijk om commentaar te leveren op deze draft. Hierna zal nog een vierde draft verschijnen, alvorens de FSF de uiteindelijke tekst van GPL v3 vaststelt. 

Lees het persbericht hier. Derde draft hier.  Eerder bericht: IEF 2417 (31 juli 2006)


 

IEF 3736

De ontvoegde dochter

1stekamer.bmpKamerstuk 30572 , nr. G, 1e Kamer. Wijziging van belastingwetten ter realisering van de doelstelling uit de nota 'Werken aan winst' (Wet werken aan winst); brief aan de staatssecretaris van Financiën.

Vragen, waaronder een aantal vragen over de octrooibox,  die nog bij de fracties van CDA en VVD zijn gerezen over het inmiddels ingevoerde wetsvoorstel Werken aan winst. O.a:

“Indien de ontvoegde dochter bij ontvoeging niet meer opteert voor de octrooibox, mag deze dan wel het immateriële activum na ontvoeging te boek stellen voor de waarde in het economische verkeer waarover bij de fiscale eenheid is afgerekend (eventueel verminderd met de afschrijvingen op de voet van artikel 15ai, tweede lid, Wet VpB 1969)?

Lees alle vragen hier.

IEF 3734

Roden

Het Dagblad van het Noorden bericht over de gevolgen van de zaak Cordis-Schneider voor Roden: “Wranger kan eigenlijk niet: wel gelijk krijgen, maar de schade is onherstelbaar (…) de 462 banen die in Roden zijn geschrapt als gevolg van een eerder negatief vonnis van de rechtbank, komen niet terug. Het werk - vier productielijnen - is al lang verplaatst naar Mexico en dat is onomkeerbaar.

Cordis mag, aldus het Hof. de geleden financiële schade verhalen op Schneider. Voor Johnson & Johnson levert dat mogelijk een pot met geld op. De getroffen 462 werknemers in Roden hebben er niets aan. ”Het leed is geleden. Frustrerend en heel erg zuur”, zegt Jeanette Brouwer van FNV Bondgenoten.

Lees hier meer. Eerder bericht en arrest: IEF 3690 (21 maart 2007). 

IEF 3731

Wettelijk vastleggen

pls.gifMinister van Onderwijs Ronald Plasterk wil wettelijk vastleggen dat onderzoekers een vast percentage van de opbrengsten van hun ontdekkingen krijgen. Wetenschappers, is het idee, zullen eerder nadenken over hoe hun ontdekkingen geld op kunnen leveren, als ze weten dat ze er zelf miljonair mee kunnen worden.

Door zijn (voormalige) werk als hoogleraar in de moleculaire biologie kent hij de problematiek van dichtbij. Plasterk is als uitvinder betrokken bij een kleine twintig octrooien, maar heeft voor zijn werk als minister afstand gedaan van de rechten op die vindingen.

Uitgebreid artikel hier (NRC Next).

IEF 3702

Antilliaanse octrooien

Het Nederlandsch Octrooibureau bericht: “Het wordt gemakkelijker octrooirechten te vestigen in de Nederlandse Antillen. Europese octrooien die na 1 april as. worden verleend, en die voor Nederland geldig worden gemaakt, zijn dan ook van kracht in de Nederlandse Antillen.

De verruiming is het gevolg van het op 1 april 2007 in werking treden van een wetswijziging, die de beperking van de voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden verleende Europese octrooien tot Nederland goeddeels opheft.

Deze wijziging van de octrooiregeling voor de Nederlandse Antillen staat los van de voor eind 2008 voorgenomen verandering van de status van de Nederlandse Antillen: ook nadat dat staatsverband is opgeheven, zal octrooibescherming op de vijf eilanden (Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba en Sint Eustatius) via de Europese of Nederlandse weg openblijven.

Omdat Aruba staatkundig niet tot de Nederlandse Antillen behoort, verandert er voor dat eiland niets. Voor octrooibescherming aldaar is dus nog steeds een afzonderlijke Arubaanse octrooiaanvrage nodig.”

Lees hier meer.

IEF 3693

A few words (3)

mccr.bmpCharlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, speaks to the European Parliament JURI Committee, 20 maart 2007:

"Does Europe have the best patent system in the world? I doubt it. The single market for patents is far from complete. Fragmentation has serious consequences for the competitiveness of Europe in relation to the challenges of the US, Japan and emerging economic powers such as China and India.

And there is more: a fragmented litigation system leads to a lack of certainty for users of the patent system. For one and the same invention, the tribunals of several Member States might come to different conclusions.

And yet, our patent policy has been held back by protracted debate and argument. We have failed to deliver the results that Europe's innovators and inventors need. They are left out in the cold. This cannot go on. We can not sustain such a competitive disadvantage.

We have to show that Europe is prepared to respond to the challenge of globalisation. If we want to be at the forefront of innovation, a sound patent strategy is indispensable. Concrete progress is needed.

This requires creativity. And it requires compromise. We need a realistic approach that takes the best elements from the different proposals that have been made. Without readiness of all parties to really try and resolve this issue in the interest of our companies and inventors, we simply will not make progress.

With my services, we have prepared a Patent Strategy that addresses the open issues on both to the Community Patent and the creation of a European patent Litigation System. It also sets out "flanking measures", such as support for SMEs, technology transfer, and enforcement issues including alternative dispute resolution, patent litigation insurance, and international aspects of enforcement. This is currently being discussed in the Commission.

But let us be clear about one thing: No progress will be made without a constructive attitude by all players. Agreement is not a foregone conclusion.  Yet patent policy alone cannot be enough.

Lees de volledige speech EU Commissaris Charlie McCreevy hier. Eerder bericht zie: IEF 2969 (24 november 2006).

IEF 3692

A few words (3)

Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, speaks to the European Parliament JURI Committee: (20 maart 2007)

"Does Europe have the best patent system in the world? I doubt it. The single market for patents is far from complete. Fragmentation has serious consequences for the competitiveness of Europe in relation to the challenges of the US, Japan and emerging economic powers such as China and India.

And there is more: a fragmented litigation system leads to a lack of certainty for users of the patent system. For one and the same invention, the tribunals of several Member States might come to different conclusions.

And yet, our patent policy has been held back by protracted debate and argument. We have failed to deliver the results that Europe's innovators and inventors need. They are left out in the cold. This cannot go on. We can not sustain such a competitive disadvantage.

We have to show that Europe is prepared to respond to the challenge of globalisation. If we want to be at the forefront of innovation, a sound patent strategy is indispensable. Concrete progress is needed.

This requires creativity. And it requires compromise. We need a realistic approach that takes the best elements from the different proposals that have been made. Without readiness of all parties to really try and resolve this issue in the interest of our companies and inventors, we simply will not make progress.

With my services, we have prepared a Patent Strategy that addresses the open issues on both to the Community Patent and the creation of a European patent Litigation System. It also sets out "flanking measures", such as support for SMEs, technology transfer, and enforcement issues including alternative dispute resolution, patent litigation insurance, and international aspects of enforcement. This is currently being discussed in the Commission.

But let us be clear about one thing: No progress will be made without a constructive attitude by all players. Agreement is not a foregone conclusion.  Yet patent policy alone cannot be enough.

Lees de volledige speech EU Commissaris Charlie McCreevy hier en eerder bericht  IEF 2969