EU patent finally becomes reality

This week the unified EU patent system was finally adopted by the Council and the European Parliament, after more than 30 years of debate.

Presented as a great step forward by EU institutions and the press alike, the new system is expected to cut the cost of patents by up to 80%, making them more attractive especially for SMEs.

Previously, patents had to be approved by each of the 27 Member-states. This administrative burden made them 18 times more expensive than in the United States and China, where companies can fill a patent for only EUR 2000 and EUR 600, respectively. In the EU, companies have to pay EUR 36000.

>> To continue reading the new click here.

This creation of an unified EU patent was one of the things EPoSS requested in its response to the Green Paper Consultation launched on a Common Strategic Framework for future EU Research and Innovation Funding.

>> The news item on the Green Paper Consultation can be consulted here.