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Patents in Europe: What’s next?

After years of debate, the way Europeans protect their inventions is about to change radically with the implementation of the Unitary patent system.


After years of debate, the way Europeans protect their inventions is about to change radically. 

A new Unitary Patent system is being set up, alongside a Unified Patent Court; the EU member-states are now in the process of ratifying it, and the European Patent Office is preparing the paperwork for it. 

In practice, what are the remaining obstacles? Will it cut the high cost of patenting in Europe? Will it open the door to “patent trolls”, or herald a new era of invention in Europe? How are universities and companies across Europe preparing?

This roundtable discussion is a Science|Business Network event.

 

Event pack
Photos

Programme
Programme

14:00 - Welcome by Richard L. Hudson, CEO & Editor, Science|Business

14:05 - Introducing the Unitary Patent

  • Jonathan  Faull, Director-General, Internal Market and Services, European Commission

14:25 - The politics of a unitary patent

  • Maria de Graca Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament
  • Amelia Andersdotter, Member of the European Parliament

14:45 - Implementing the unitary patent

  • Margot Frohlinger, Principal Director Patent Law and Multilateral Affairs, European Patent Office 
  • Alexander Ramsay, Vice Chairman, Preparatory Committee, Unified Patent Court; Deputy Director, Division for Intellectual Property & Transport Law, Ministry of Justice, Sweden

15:15 - Coffee

15:45 - The impact of the unitary patent – on the economy, industry, and academia

  • Patrick Terroir, Deputy Director-General, CDC Intellectual Property
  • Colette Vogele, Director of IP Policy, Microsoft EMEA
  • Rouget F. Henschel, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
  • Tony Clayton, Chief Economist, UK Intellectual Property Office

17:00 - Reception

Speakers
Speakers
Jonathan Faull
Director-General, Internal Market and Services, European Commission
Margot Fröhlinger
Principal Director Patent Law and Multilateral Affairs, EPO
Amelia Andersdotter
Member of the European Parliament
Maria da Graça Carvalho
Member of the European Parliament
Tony Clayton
Chief Economist, UK Intellectual Property Office
Rouget F. (Ric) Henschel
Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP
Alexander Ramsay
Vice Chairman, Preparatory Committee, Unified Patent Court; Deputy Director, Division for Intellectual Property & Transport Law, Ministry of Justice, Sweden
Patrick Terroir
Deputy Director General, CDC Intellectual Property
Colette Vogele
Director of IP Policy, Microsoft EMEA
Photos
Photos

Patents in Europe: What’s next?