STRASBOURG (6 July, 2005) – “The Business Software Alliance respects the European Parliament’s vote and supports its call both for a period of reflection on the needs of European inventors and for reforms to improve the patent system from the point of view of small- and medium-sized companies,” said Francisco Mingorance, BSA Europe’s Director of Public Policy. His comment followed the European Parliament’s rejection of the proposed Directive on the Patentability of Computer-Implemented Inventions.
“Although we would have welcomed a harmonisation of laws throughout Europe, at least the intellectual property protection that innovators had yesterday will remain the same tomorrow – and that is critical for European competitiveness,” Mr. Mingorance added.
“We commend the Parliament for acting with courage and prudence in resisting the fierce offensive of those who wanted to weaken Europe's intellectual property system. We also urge European governments to revive the stalled Community Patent,” he said.
“Going forward, the focus should be on ensuring that companies and individuals Europe-wide can continue to reap the benefits of patent protection,” Mr. Mingorance said. “The BSA hopes that the debate has cast a spotlight on the need for patent reform that is responsive to inventors large and small.”
For further information, please see www.bsa.org/patents or contact:
Brandon Mitchener, APCO Europe
Phone +32-2-645-9834 or +32 (477) 245 077
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