Viewpoint

The economic significance of patents ranges from impacts on growth and global trade, to patent portfolio management within firms. The EU could do more to extract value from its patent store, says Theon van Dijk, Chief Economist, European Patent Office

From traffic management to healthcare, there is huge potential in unlocking public information stores, Pól Mac Aonghusa, senior research manager at IBM tells Science|Business

Science|Business begins a series of viewpoints on the ethical dimensions of Europe’s biggest R&D programme

With the Eurostars’ funding pot replenished by nearly €1.2B, EUREKA chairwoman Kristin Danielsen shares her thoughts on its importance for small businesses in Europe

Growth in the marine sector is welcome, but needs to be sensitively managed; we shouldn’t put wind turbines in fishing grounds. Investing in seabed mapping technology will ensure resources are used in a sustainable way, says Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, MEP

In response to the latest IPCC report, Mary Ritter, CEO of Climate-KIC, the EU’s public-private partnership, highlights the major efforts that are under way to tackle climate change. Collaboration is the route to addressing this threat, she says

Software apps have risen from nowhere to support 1.8 million jobs and deliver revenues of €17.5 B in 2013. But more could be done to support this vibrant sector, with skills shortages being a particular worry, says John Breslin, project director at Eurapp

Matthias Kaiserswerth, head of the European research headquarters of the IT company IBM, reflects on some ways Europe could improve its approach to innovation and calls for the creation of a single set of rules for research

Venture capitalists should be in charge of picking technology winners, not civil servants, says Risto Siilasmaa, Chairman and interim CEO of Nokia

Too great a focus on short-term innovation could damage the long-term ability to grow. New policies are needed to encourage longer cycle innovation and local production, says Hiram Samel of Oxford University’s Saїd Business School