Science|Business Reporting

Commission says changes will make the current system for standard essential patents more transparent, preventing lengthy disputes, but critics say the proposal could delay licence negotiations and royalty payments

Rather than creating a new single regulator, existing oversight bodies will tailor the rules to suit specific sectors. Five guiding principles will be applied to ensure safe and appropriate implementation of the technology

£1.6B for the UK to join the EU research programme or set up a Plan B, has been withdrawn, according to a leading lobby group

It’s been a long time coming, with MEPs having voted it through in December 2012. But advocates say the unitary patent remains relevant and will be a boon for the European economy

Process will give member states and stakeholders a say on what has gone right and wrong since 2014, and what should be done going forwards

UK businesses spent far more on R&D than previously estimated, leading small business advocates to condemn a just-announced cut in tax relief for research

An opinion sample finds most agree that scientific ties should be curtailed with countries that start wars or pose security or ethical problems – but trade and IP disputes are a different matter

An online sampling of opinion shows high passions in the scientific community about how to deal with Russian counterparts