UnionPatent dot Org / CommunityPatent dot EU
What is it?
- - Single patent to cover all Europe - Launched as 'consultation procedure' by Commission in Jan 2006
What's the Hype?
- - Cheaper, easier patents - No more language hassles
What's the Truth?
- - More junk patents - No more national courts - EPO case law becomes EU patent law - EPO judges become EU patent judges - Software patents become reality - Retroactive penalties for patent infringement
Who Wants This?
- Charlie McGreevy, aka "The Executioner" - Big companies with huge patent portfolios - EPO will become judge and executioner
How will it affect you?
- - Software patents will increase cost of all technology - Be ready for US-style litigation - Retroactive liability will bankrupt many SMEs - No independent judicial protection
What is the FFII doing about it?
- We're going to form a committee...
Links:
- - Make a submission on the Commission - Donate to the FFII - Become an FFII member or supporter - How your Company can help the FFII - More information on Community Patent
