Software firms seek patents

Date: 01/03/01

By Peter Chapman

SOFTWARE firms are calling for EU-wide patent protection for computer programs, saying it is vital to win the technology war against the US.

Currently, most member states do not allow software to be awarded a patent - even though it may feature technical advances. The industry wants a European Commission directive to change that.

"We need to get moving and make sure that European industry can take advantage of a patent system here in Europe as US firms do in the US," said Tim Conway of the European IT Services Association (EISA).

The demand comes as internal market chief Frits Bolkestein prepares to unveil the results of an industry-wide review on the issue. A majority of the respondents are said to favour a directive clarifying how patent rules should be applied to software.

But a spokesman for Bolkestein said the Commissioner will sound out governments at the 12 March meeting of single market ministers before proposing new legislation.

Software firms are calling for EU-wide patent protection for computer programs, saying it is vital t win the technology war against the US.