Irish companies received a significant boost today when Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Richard Bruton (pictured), along with ministers from 23 other EU member states, signed the Unified Patent Court Agreement in Brussels.
The agreement is the last part of a package of measures that will provide a one-stop shop for enterprises to register and protect their patents in the European Union and is expected to save Irish businesses up to €6 million a year. Across Europe, it is estimated that the new patent system will save business up to €290 million each year.
Minister Richard Bruton said: “The signing of the Unified Patent Court is a historic moment as it paves the way for the implementation of the patents package, which will give enterprises greater access to patent protection at European level, and make enforcement of patents more affordable. It is also an important milestone in the continued development of the Single Market – a priority for the Irish Presidency. Indeed, achieving a unified patent litigation system was a major priority of the Single Market Act.”
Minister Bruton chaired the Competitiveness Council meeting of EU industry and internal market ministers. In a first for the council, ministers discussed a report on the integration of the Single Market. This marks a notable increase in the Competitiveness Council’s role in monitoring and advising in this important area. Ministers also reviewed progress on implementing single market legislation and in driving new growth-enhancing measures.
During the meeting, Ministers also debated the European Commission’s Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan; the State Aid Modernisation proposals; and the Annual Growth Survey for 2013. Other issues of importance that were discussed included the Union Customs Code and the challenges facing the European steel industry.
Minister Bruton also welcomed a European Commission report published today showing Ireland is now the most prompt implementer of new EU Internal Market Directives. The Commission’s ‘internal market scoreboard’ gives Ireland a perfect 0.0% score, indicating that the country has transposed all due directives on time. This is only the second time a member state has achieved a perfect score.
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers