Improving the patent system in Europe is a political objective that is of key importance in terms of increasing the competitiveness of the European economy. Europe needs both an efficient judicial system on patents and an attractive Community patent.
The specialist discussion was extended to include preparations for and deliberations on the key legal acts needed to set up an EU Patent Court and the Community Patent. While there was broad consensus on a general framework of a solution, a series of aspects of the system still require further discussion. The Ministers agreed that efforts to find definitive solutions for both the judicial system on patents and the Community patent should be pursued.
Mr Vizjak commented, "We are aware that the future patent system must guarantee the cost-effectiveness and legal security required by European patent system users, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. We believe that the work of the German, Portuguese and Slovenian Presidencies provides a sound basis for future progress."