European Union

The European Court of Justice has ruled the functionality embodied in computer programs cannot be copyrighted. This will spur innovation and interoperability say experts

Alan Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, caused a stir at February’s EU ministerial conference in Copenhagen, with a hard-hitting speech on the state of US science. America's scientific eminence, 'is at risk' he said.

Research and innovation are pre-requisites of economic growth and job creation. That’s why, in addition to increasing the budget of the next Framework programme, structural funds should be earmarked for R&D and Innovation, says Maria Da Graça Carvalho, MEP

It’s wrong that the lion’s share of research money goes to countries that already have the best science. Funds should be redistributed to build a “stairway to excellence” for all member states, says ITRE

Quarterly venture capital investment in the US hit a three-year high in the second quarter of this year, in stark contrast to record low deals in Europe in the first half of 2011

The EU is backing iversity to develop the first online university with an academic infrastructure fit for the digital age

A industry/academic European project to develop the next generation of green, non-polluting chemical processes will be headed by Manchester University

Mega-funding package puts a stronger focus on innovation and SMEs, and on tackling big problems like climate change, and energy and food security

A public consultation on access to online scientific information, and its preservation has been launched by the European Commission