Euro news

Against Piracy

Biotech inventions

CSF PL

Digital Libraries

DPO outside EU

eGov programme

FAO Agreement

Enforce IPR 3^rd cntries

EPO & Lithuania

EPO-Computer Implement. Inventions

EU IPR Survey

EU-Japan agreement

EU-South East Asia

Europe Direct

Eurostat 2003

Growth & Jobs measures

Human rights & IST

IASP

Int. Trademark Treaty

IRE - MLPlateform

"She figures 2003"

SME Definition

Trade Mark Amendments

Unfair Commerce

European News

This is where we announce the specific information coming from the European sources or related to Europe in our context. More general economic background news can be found on the ECO News section. Don't hesitate to give us feed-back on the type of information you would like to find here.

•  European Patent Office. A new website on computer implemented inventions has been recently launched

  The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched a new website on computer implemented inventions. It contains an explanation of the law and practice at the EPO in this field, including the patentability requirements under the European Patent Convention (EPC) and summaries and links to Boards of Appeal decisions. Furthermore, it includes the legislative reforms proposed in the Diplomatic Conference to revise the EPC of November 2000 and the already abandoned Software Patent Directive. The brochure "Computer-implemented inventions and patents" can also be downloaded from the website

  Press article by IPR Helpdesk 24 August 2005

  EPO CII website: cii.european-patent-office.org/

•  Commission sets out 8 key EU measures to create more growth and jobs

  The European Commission has tabled a comprehensive plan of EU measures to boost growth and create more and better jobs by promoting knowledge and innovation and making Europe an attractive place to invest and work. In today’s “Community Lisbon Programme” the Commission announced that it will push to further open markets, cut red tape and invest in modern infrastructure so that our enterprises can grow, innovate and create new jobs. The Commission will take the necessary steps to support the development of a skilled and entrepreneurial workforce so that all Europeans can enjoy the benefits of a society with high employment, a high level of social protection and a healthy environment. The Commission will also step up the efforts to support education and lifelong learning to help more people achieve their full personal and professional potential and encourage entrepreneurship. The policies presented in today’s Community Lisbon Programme cover areas where purely national action is insufficient. This programme complements the efforts of Member States in the framework of the new “Partnership for Growth and Jobs”, who will present their national reform programmes in October 2005. It is only by the combined forces of the Commission, the European Parliament and the Member States that Europe can reach the ambitious goals set in the renewed Lisbon agenda. For more information, The new Integrated economic and employment guidelines (in English pdf 120kb)

  Press article by EUROPA 1 August 2005: in English (pdf 253kb)  or in French (pdf 252kb)

•  Commission receives first application to register a Geographical Indication from a third Country in the EU Register

  On 8 June 2005, the Colombian authorities sent the European Commission an application from the "Federación Nacional de cafeteros de Colombia" to register "Café de Colombia" as a Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) in the Community Register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). This is the first application received by the Commission from a third country to register a Geographical Indication in the EU. The Commission welcomes the fact that the application comes from an association of producers in a developing country, thus underlining that geographical indications can be an instrument for development. The Commission will now study the application. If it meets all the requirements, it will be published in the Official Journal. Third parties then have six months to raise any objections. If they do not, it will then receive EU-wide approval.

  More info on PDO, PGI and TSG ...

  WTO Panel upholds EU system of protection of “Geographical Indications” in English (pdf 70kb) or in French (pdf 70kb)

•  Strategy for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries (EC)

  In an effort to halt the increase in piracy and counterfeiting the European Commission has adopted a Communication setting the Strategy for the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Third Countries. The action plan focuses on vigorous and effective implementation and enforcement of existing IPR laws. It proposes to identify priority countries where enforcement actions should be concentrated. Stress will be put on technical cooperation and assistance to help third countries fight counterfeiting but the Commission will not hesitate to trigger all bilateral and multilateral sanction mechanisms against any country involved in systematic violations. The Commission will foster awareness raising of users and consumers in third countries and support the creation of public-private partnerships for enforcement.

  This Strategy sets the guidelines for the European Commission in the coming years towards a reduction of the level of IPR violations taking place beyond the EU borders, worldwide. It is a logical sequence of recent initiatives like the Enforcement Directive (in English (pdf 170kb)), that will harmonize enforcement legislation within the European Union, and the revision of the Customs Regulation (in English (pdf 139kb)), that provides action against counterfeit or pirated goods at the Community's border.

  The Strategy in detail:

  • Identifying priority countries: EU action will focus on the most problematic countries in terms of IPR violations. These countries will be identified according to a regular survey to be conducted by the Commission among all stakeholders.

  • Awareness raising: promote initiatives to raise public awareness about the impact of counterfeiting (loss of foreign investment and technology transfer, risks to health, link with organised crime, etc.) and make available to the public and to the authorities of third countries concerned a "Guidebook on Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights".

  • Political dialogue, incentives and technical co-operation: ensuring that technical assistance provided to third countries focuses on IPR enforcement, especially in priority countries; exchanging ideas and information with other key providers of technical co-operation, like the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the US or Japan, with the aim of avoiding duplication of efforts and sharing of best-practices.

  • IPR mechanisms in multilateral (including TRIPs), bi-regional and bilateral agreements: raising enforcement concerns in the framework of these agreements more systematically; consulting trading partners with the aim of launching an initiative in the WTO TRIPs Council, sounding the alert on the growing dimension of the problem, identifying the causes and proposing solutions and strengthening IPR enforcement clauses in bilateral agreements.

  • Dispute settlement - sanctions: recall the possibility that right-holders have to make use of the Trade Barriers Regulation or of bilateral agreements, in cases of evidence of violations of TRIPs; in addition to the WTO dispute settlement, recall the possibility to use dispute settlement mechanisms included in bilateral agreements in case of non-compliance with the required standards of IPR protection.

  • Creation of public-private partnerships: supporting/participating in local IP networks established in relevant third countries; using mechanisms already put in place by Commission services (IPR Help Desk and Innovation Relay Centres) to exchange information with right-holders and associations; build on the co-operation with companies and associations that are very active in the fight against piracy/counterfeiting.

  Press article by Europa 18 May 2005: europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/intell_property/strategy_tc.htm

  Document "Strategy for the Enforcement of IPR in Third Countries" in English - JO publication (pdf 236kb) or in English - Communication (pdf 73kb) or in French - JO publication (pdf 246kb) or in French - Communication (pdf 86kb)

•  New stimulation for innovation in regions 

  The European Commission has launched a Mutual Learning Platform (MLP) for research and innovation in EU regions to encourage regional policymakers to share their experiences, learn with and from each other and to help regions to participate actively in a knowledge based economy.

  The MLP takes advantage of existing networks and structures for innovation support and receives administrative support from IRE Network Secretariat. Its core structure, called the MLP Board, brings together representatives of high-level European regional associations, business networks, development agencies and academic experts.

  MLP activities will be focused on 3 priority topics: regional foresight, regional benchmarking and regional profiles. Working groups comprising up to 50 regional actors will be established under each of these headings, with the objective of sharing experiences and making concrete suggestions for regional policy makers in Europe.

  Press article by Enterprise Europe 29 April 2005: www.innovating-regions.org/network/presentation/mlp_details.cfm

•  Unfair commercial practices: Commission welcomes Parliament’s approval of new law

  Markos Kyprianou, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, has welcomed the vote by the European Parliament approving a new EU law to ban pressure selling and misleading marketing. The new legislation to harmonise Member States’ rules on unfair commercial practices was proposed by the Commission in June 2003 (see IP/03/857). It will clarify consumers' rights and facilitate cross-border trade by establishing common, EU-wide rules against aggressive or misleading business-to-consumer marketing. This will give consumers the same protection against sharp business practices and rogue traders whether they buy from the shop around the corner or from a website in another Member State. Companies who comply with the rules will be able to do business in all EU countries. Independent economic studies predict the new law will increase consumer choice, stimulate competition and enlarge the horizons of small and medium sized businesses in Europe. The law is expected to be formally endorsed by the Council of Ministers in the coming weeks and should be implemented EU-wide by 2007.

  Press article by EUROPA 24 February 2005: in English (pdf 94kb)  or in French (pdf 93kb)

•  European Patent Convention. Lithuania joined the EPC on the 1st of December 2004

  The Government of Lithuania having deposited its instrument of accession to the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 3 September 2004, the EPC entered into force on the 1st of December 2004. Lithuania is thus the 30th State to join the EPC.

  Lithuania can be designed in a European patent application filed with the European Patent Office (EPO). Furthermore, nationals of Lithuania and persons having their establishment in the country have now the possibility of filing for European patents with the EPO.

  Information by EPO 10 December 2004: www.european-patent-office.org/news/info/2004_10_11_e.htm

•  EU strengthens fight against piracy and counterfeiting beyond its borders

  In an effort to halt the increase in piracy and counterfeiting the European Commission has adopted a strategy for the enforcement of intellectual property rights in third countries. The action plan focuses on vigorous and effective implementation and enforcement of existing IPR laws. It proposes to identify priority countries where enforcement actions should be concentrated. Stress will be put on technical cooperation and assistance to help third countries fight counterfeiting but the Commission will not hesitate to trigger all bilateral and multilateral sanction mechanisms against any country involved in systematic violations. The Commission will foster awareness raising of users and consumers in third countries and support the creation of public-private partnerships for enforcement.

  Press article by EUROPA 10 November 2004: in English (pdf 74kb)  or in French (pdf 69kb)

•  International bodies highlight the need for IP expertise in science parks

  The world intellectual property organization (WIPO) and the international association of science parks (IASP) have called for the managers and staff of science parks and business incubators to better meet the intellectual property needs of their clients and tenants.

  The appeal was made during a three day event in Geneva, where participants from 14 countries met to discuss ways to improve IP support for start up companies. Such businesses often rely on research results generated within universities and research centres, and the intellectual property system is seen as the major tool for encouraging the transfer of technology from the laboratory to the private sector.

  More Info on www.wipo.int

•  Industrial property: EC joins international trademark treaty

  The European Community is submitting today to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on the international registration of trademarks. It is the first time that the EC as such accedes to a WIPO treaty. This link will allow businesses to benefit from the advantages of the Community Trademark through the Madrid Protocol system and vice-versa, which will simplify procedures, reduce the costs for international protection and make administration easier.

  Press article by EUROPA 21 June 2004: in English (pdf 67kb)  or in French (pdf 69kb)

•  “She Figures 2003”: key data on women and science

  The Commission has just released “She Figures 2003”, a unique compilation of key data, which presents the latest figures on the participation of women in scientific education and employment. The number of women researchers in universities and businesses across Europe is on the increase. Yet there are signs that government research institutes in some countries are losing researchers, both men and women. Despite accounting for 40% of today's Ph.D. graduates in Europe, women represent only 15% of researchers in enterprises, and one third of the researchers in government and higher education research institutions. And, in six Member States, less than one person in ten of the top layer of academic staff is a woman.

  Press article by EUROPA 28 October 2003: in English (pdf 100kb)  or in French (pdf 103kb)

•  Eurostat Yearbook 2003 European statistics from A to Z

  in that Press release you can find a short table on "Continuous vocational training in enterprises in 1999". Also find attached free extracts of that Yearbook here below.

  Press article by EUROSTAT 4 September 2003: in English (pdf 51kb)  or in French (pdf 56kb)

  Extract "Statisticians for Europe": in English (pdf 1229kb)  or in French (pdf 1525kb)

  Extract "People in Europe": in English (pdf 970kb) or in French (pdf 982kb)

  Extract "Economy and Ecology": in English (pdf 992kb)  or in French (pdf 1009kb)

  Extract "Entrepreneurial activties": in English (pdf 1079kb)  or in French (pdf 1258kb)

  Extract "Annexes": in English (pdf 343kb)  or in French (pdf 460kb)

•  "Getting Ready to Implement New EU Electronic Communications Law" - Article 7 workshop Brussels

  Erkki Liikanen, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enterprise and the Information Society

  Speech by Erkki Liikanen on EUROPA 15 July 2003: in English (pdf 71kb)

•  EUROPE DIRECT: bringing the European Union closer to the citizen

  As the Convention on the Future of Europe this week concludes its work, the European Commission is extending its EUROPE DIRECT service a concrete example of efforts to bring Europe closer to its citizens. EUROPE DIRECT already allows people across the EU to get answers to their questions about the EU in all 11 official languages through the toll-free phone number: 00800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by e-mail : (europa.eu.int/europedirect). From June, the service has been extended to allow visitors to the EUROPA web server to have a one-to-one session with a EUROPE DIRECT Call Centre operator who will provide assistance for their on-line research.

  Press article by EUROPA 10 July 2003: in English (pdf 86kb)  or in French (pdf 24kb)

•  Commissioner Monti welcomes signature of EU-Japan agreement in the competition field

  The European Union and Japan signed an agreement that will strengthen co-operation between their competition authorities to the benefit of companies and consumers in both jurisdictions. This is the third such agreement signed by the EU after agreements concluded with the United States and with Canada. “This agreement marks an important milestone in the co-operation between the EU and Japan,” said Commissioner Mario Monti. “We look forward with enthusiasm to a new era of enhanced co-operation with the Japan Fair Trade Commission as this will be beneficial for companies doing business in both markets and for consumers.” The Commission in 1999 proposed the agreement, on the EU side.

  Press article by EUROPA 10 July 2003: in English (pdf 61kb)  or in French (pdf 71kb)

• Commission launches a 'new partnership' with South East Asia

  The European Commission has adopted a Communication on a new partnership with South East Asia, setting out a comprehensive strategy for future EU relations with the region. The Commission holds out the offer of bilateral agreements with countries in the region to deepen co operation on a modern agenda including human rights, good governance, justice and home affairs issues and fight against terrorism. The Commission is also proposing a regional trade action plan, the Trans-Regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative (TREATI), which seeks closer co-operation between both regions on a wide range of trade, investments and regulatory issues. TREATI will thus enable the establishment of a closer economic relationship between two important trading regions, and thereby permit serious consideration to be given to a potential Free Trade Agreement following the successful outcome of the current WTO round of trade talks. The Communication suggests how the existing institutional framework could be made more productive, by defining more clearly which issues should be tackled by the Asia Europe meeting, ASEAN and the Asia Regional Forum. External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten said: "Asia should always be close to the top of Europe's agenda. We are not only major trading partners, but partners in the fight against terrorism, organised crime, and drugs trade. Europe is the first donor of development assistance to help South East Asia tackle the poverty which helps breed instability. But we can do more together - and today's Communication sets out a flexible strategy for deeper co operation with individual countries within a regional framework". EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy added: "With today's move we open a new chapter in EU-ASEAN trade relations. TREATI will help building trust between both regions: we are ready to match the level of ambition they put in their own process of regional integration".

  Press article by EUROPA 9 July 2003: in English (pdf 29kb)  or in French (pdf 104kb)

•  Commission proposes new programme on pan-European eGovernment services for Administrations, Businesses and Citizens

  The European Commission proposed the new IDABC (Interoperable Delivery of pan-European eGovernment Services to Public Administrations, Businesses and Citizens) programme to deliver pan-European eGoverment services to public administrations, businesses and citizens. This Decision comes one day after the European eGovernment Conference held in Como, Italy. As Member States' governments increasingly provide on-line services to their citizens and enterprises, e.g. on-line tax declaration, the new programme will focus on the need for administrations, businesses and citizens to interact electronically with administrations across national borders. This programme is a follow-on to the IDA (Interchange of Data between Administrations) programme, a Commission-driven strategic initiative to support the rapid electronic exchange of information between Member States' administrations and the European institutions. IDABC is a broader eGovernment programme that will cover the objectives of the present IDA programme and also establish pan-European eGovernment services for businesses and citizens. Thus the new programme will extend to citizens and businesses the benefits of co-operation between public administrations across Europe.

  Press article by EUROPA 9 July 2003: in English (pdf 68kb)  or in French (pdf 15kb)

  More information is also available at the IDA website: europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/jsps/index.jsp?fuseAction=home

•  CSF- Community Support Framework - EU Cohesion Policy in Poland: negotiations on the 2004-2006 programmes started on 27 June in Warsaw

  The European Commission announced the launch of the first round of negotiations with an accession country on future regional development programmes. Negotiations started on 27 June in Warsaw with Poland. They will be dedicated to the Community Support Framework (CSF) and related Operational Programmes (OP) for the period 2004-2006.

  Press article by EUROPA 26 June 2003: in English (pdf 85kb) or in French (pdf 83kb)

•  REDEFINITION OF SMES TO BOOST COMPETITIVENESS (by the European Commission)

  The European Commission has issued new definitions of micro enterprises and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) aimed at boosting the competitiveness of Europe's small businesses. SMEs and micro enterprises are currently defined according to guidelines dating back to 1996. The new guidelines, announced in Brussels on 8 May, take account of price and productivity increases and will significantly raise the financial ceilings which help define what category a particular company falls within. The headcount thresholds, however, will remain unchanged.

  The changes to the thresholds focus on the maximum turnover and balance sheet totals in each category. For micro enterprises, companies with a maximum of ten employees, the previously undefined amounts in each case are set at 2 million euro. Small enterprises with less than 50 employees will see the ceiling for turnover raised from 7 million 10 million euro, while total balance sheet goes from five million to ten million also. Medium sized enterprises will now be defined as companies with less than 250 workers whose turnover is under 50 million euro, and whose balance sheet is not in excess of 43 million euro, up from 40 million and 27 million euro respectively.

  With the changes, the Commission hopes to promote growth and entrepreneurship, and encourage SMEs to invest in research and innovation. It is hoped that the increased financial ceilings in each category will favour those companies that invest their capital, which will in turn lead to higher levels of research and subsequently increased innovation. The creation of a precise financial definition for micro enterprises for the first time should facilitate national and regional support schemes specifically for this category, and social economy activities and craft businesses are also included as enterprises. In order to provide a smooth transitional period at EU and national level, the new definitions has been formally introduced on 1 January 2005.

  More info europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition

  SME Definition User's guide by EUROPA 11 April 2005: in English (pdf 1189kb)

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