Europe close to unifying patent system
JUL 03, 2012
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.026142
Science : The governments of the European Union have been negotiating the Unified Patent Court, which could make the patent process cheaper and simpler for applicants and increase the EU’s global competitiveness. Until now, European patents were filed in one country and then granted separately by others, with fees and other costs accruing with each approval. The decision to unify has taken decades, as government leaders debated where the court would be located. In a historic decision, they have chosen to divide the court among three cities: Paris, London, and Munich. The European Parliament will vote on the proposal later this month. At least 13 member states need to ratify it, which is expected to happen by early 2014.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics
