| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: Press and Communication Service |
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| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | IP/02/277 (20.2.02) |
| Publication Date | 20/02/2002 |
| Content Type | News |
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The European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive on the protection by patents of computer-implemented inventions on 20 February 2002. The proposed Directive would harmonise the way in which national patent laws deal with inventions using software. Such inventions can already be patented by applying to either the European Patent Office (EPO) or the national patent offices of the Member States, but the detailed conditions for patentability may vary. A significant barrier to trade in patented products within the Internal Market exists as long as certain inventions can be protected by patent in some Member States but not others. The proposed Directive will be submitted to the EU's Council of Ministers and the European Parliament for adoption under the so-called 'co-decision' procedure. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/02/277&format=HTML&rapid=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
