BNE Blog

The Future Looks Promising for European Patents

By admin

By Ariane Poulain

Photo by European Commission

Over the past few weeks, there have been positive developments concerning European patent systems.  Initiatives which support the completion of the Single Market and advance – rather than hinder – innovation, growth, and jobs are definitely to be welcomed.

The current patent system in Europe is highly complex, costly and inefficient. Whilst the intergovernmental organisation, the European Patent Office (EPO), provides a single procedure for granting patents in 38 European (EU member states and eleven non-EU) countries, this procedure does not supersede national legislatures. For example, the EPO grants patents in English, French and German but in many cases nations require further patent translations in their own language. The EPO does not have the power to enforce patents across all member countries because a uniform European patent system does not exist. As a result, to patent an innovation throughout the EU the innovation must also (or instead) be validated according to national policy. The business or innovator can opt to apply for a patent via a national system or through the EPO. Read full article »

December 6th, 2010 | Posted in Economy, Innovation and Skills, Regulation, SMEs | No Comments »

BNE Briefing on IMF Reform

By admin

By Eloise Nosworthy

Photograph: IMF

Earlier this week, the G20 announced it had agreed to make some fundamental changes to the IMF. The plans include the election, rather than the nomination, of Executive Directors, and a comprehensive set of practical reforms to do with currency manipulation and the resulting economic tensions between countries.

Most importantly, however, is the decision of abandoning two European seats in favour of developing countries. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the Director of the IMF, has described this moment as historical, stating it was probably “the biggest reform ever in the governance of the institution”. The decision was taken in response to an increasingly tense economic and political situation, in the hope that progress can be made on some controversial international issues. Read full article »

November 2nd, 2010 | Posted in Economy, External Relations, Regulation | No Comments »

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