EU Patent a ‘passport to creativity and growth’ says Euro MP

Euro MPs will this week in Strasbourg vote on a historic package of measures to set up an EU-wide patent system which will allow individuals and companies to apply for a single patent valid throughout the European Union.

Legal Affairs Spokesperson, Euro MP Arlene McCarthy said: “The establishment of an accessible and affordable EU wide patent system will be a passport to creativity and growth across the European Union.”

“The current system is too expensive and bureaucratic for inventors and therefore not competitive.

“If you wanted EU-wide protection today you would have to get your national patent translated and validated in each of the 27 EU countries, which costs about €32,000 - 15 times the cost of a US patent.”

If adopted by the European Parliament from January 2014 applications could be submitted in any EU language and the unitary patent would be automatically valid throughout the EU member states participating in the scheme (Italy and Spain have so far opted out).

Arlene added: “If we are serious about driving forward jobs and growth in Europe then we have to support our innovators. This deal finally gives inventors the protections they need to develop their products and build their businesses across the EU.”

“For regional business incubators such as Liverpool Science Park, Lancaster Universities InfoLab21, Daresbury Innovation Centre, Manchester’s Innospace, and Cumbria’s West Lakes Science and Techonology Park, to name just a few this is great news.”

“We have simplified patent procedures and reduced costs for SMEs', Universities, individuals and not for profit organisations, which should foster much needed EU competitiveness during a time of economic uncertainty.”