Growth, prosperity and patents

Brussels, 15 Oct 2002

The Danish Presidency is organising a conference on 'Growth, prosperity and patents', to take place in Aalborg, Denmark on 28 and 29 October.

The conference is organised under the premise that research and development (R&D) are important for economic growth, employment and social cohesion, but that innovation and new ideas should always be rewarded appropriately, particularly through patent protection.

The challenge is to create the best possible framework for modelling a future patent system in such a way that knowledge is transferable into new products, services and other competitive advantages.

The conference will focus on three topics: an insurance scheme for patents, the role of the national patent offices, the European patent office and the patent offices in the USA and Japan in promoting the patent system, and the proposed Software Directive, which would harmonise the way in which national patent laws deal with inventions using software.

Around 300 participants are expected at the event, including government, Commission and patent office representatives from all EU Member States and the candidate countries.

For further information, please consult the following web address: http://www.dkpto.dk/en/eu/conf/index.htm

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001