"There is an urgent need for the establishment of a Community patent and a unified specialised patent litigation system in Europe to reduce administrative burdens and uncertainty for companies. A full 30% of patent court cases are conducted in parallel in several Member States, and in 11% of cases national courts reach conflicting judgements. […] Preliminary results were published in November 2008. More than 70 submissions were received from stakeholders. Consumer associations, health insurers and the generics industry have welcomed the results arguing that they confirm their concerns. The originator industry and their advisors have supported the call for the creation of a Community Patent and a specialised litigation system, whilst arguing that generic delay and the decline in innovation is caused by regulatory shortcomings."
Commission: Antitrust: shortcomings in pharmaceutical sector require further action
Summary:
There is an urgent need for the establishment of a Community patent and a unified specialised patent litigation system in Europe to reduce administrative burdens and uncertainty for companies. A full 30% of patent court cases are conducted in parallel in several Member States, and in 11% of cases national courts reach conflicting judgements. [...] Preliminary results were published in November 2008. More than 70 submissions were received from stakeholders. Consumer associations, health insurers and the generics industry have welcomed the results arguing that they confirm their concerns. The originator industry and their advisors have supported the call for the creation of a Community Patent and a specialised litigation system, whilst arguing that generic delay and the decline in innovation is caused by regulatory shortcomings.