Patentability of computer-implemented inventions

Citation

(2004), "Patentability of computer-implemented inventions", Microelectronics International, Vol. 21 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/mi.2004.21821cab.004

Patentability of computer-implemented inventions

Patentability of computer-implemented inventions

Intellect applauds council's support of innovation

Keywords: Intellect, Patents

Intellect, the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, has spoken out in support of the decision by the Competitiveness Council to adopt a common position on the proposed EU Directive on the Patentability of Computer-implemented Inventions.

John Higgins, Director General of Intellect commented, "In partnership with EICTA and our sister trade associations across Europe Intellect has been working to raise awareness amongst EU political leaders emphasising the importance to European, and indeed UK, innovators, of maintaining patent protection for digital technology in Europe.'' "If the Council had taken the decision to remove patent protection the UK's individual inventors, SMEs and large multinationals, would all have been unable to protect their inventions, undermining the incentives to undertake R&D, and creating a climate adverse to technology transfer. This is a situation which would have put UK businesses at a distinct disadvantage within the global knowledge-driven economy.''

"We therefore consider the decision made by the Competitiveness Council to be a helpful step towards the goal of a harmonized and coherent approach to patent protection for computer- implemented inventions in Europe.''

The new European Parliament will bear considerable responsibility with regard to the future of this Directive. In partnership with EICTA Intellect now calls upon MEPs to support Europe's digital technology industry, and drop the more extreme and economically damaging amendments that the outgoing Parliament adopted in September 2003. Failure to do so would strike a debilitating blow to Europe's economy by eliminating patent protection for many of Europe's most innovative industrial sectors.

Background

The common position, although more limiting than industry would have liked, is a carefully balanced solution, which preserves the incentives for European innovation in digital technologies vital to so many of today's industry sectors. These are as diverse as telecommunications, information technology, consumer electronics, household appliances, transportation and medical instruments, while also responding to the European Parliament's call for limitations to ensure that patentability does not extend into non-technical areas or unduly hinder interoperability in our increasingly networked society. Patents for business, mathematical and other methods are clearly excluded in the proposal.

The council's common position is an important step in the legislative process towards safeguarding innovation in Europe. This innovation will ensure that society may continue to benefit from technology advances in products as diverse as mobile telephones and cars which increasingly rely on computer-implemented inventions, and to avoid jeopardising the ambitious Lisbon goal of making Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy by 2010.

For further information, visit the Web site: www.intellectuk.org