Call for patent action

Date: 15/03/01

INTERNAL Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein this week called on governments to "remove obstacles" to their promise to deliver a EU-wide patent system when they meet in Stockholm next week.

Governments agreed at last year's Lisbon summit to put in place the Community patent system by the end of 2001 but since then a series of rows - including fights over plans for a central tribunal to solve disputes and the patent's working language - have thwarted progress.

Bolkestein said the delay was "very regrettable", adding, "yet again we are seeing too much poetry and not enough motion".

Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein has called on governments to 'remove obstacles' to their promise to deliver a EU-wide patent system.