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Europäisches Patentamt (EPA)

Diplomatic Conference to revise the European Patent Convention

Munich (ots)

Work on the modernisation of the European patent
system moved one step closer to completion on 7 September, when the
Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation adopted
the Basic Proposal for the Revision of the European Patent Convention
(EPC).
The planned revision of the EPC was initiated by the European
Patent Office and the Administrative Council in 1998, and the Basic
Proposal will be used as the basis for discussion at the revision
conference in Munich on 20 to 
29 November. The text of the document, which will be forwarded to the
governments of the contracting states to the EPC and other conference
participants at the end of September, can be accessed via the EPO's
website (http://www.european-patent-office.org).
The underlying aim of the revision of the EPC is to modernise the
European patent system, whilst at the same time retaining those
fundamental features of the system which have stood the test of time.
The Convention, which has been in existence for almost 30 years, is
to be brought up to date, so as to make procedures before the EPO
quicker, clearer and more efficient. The high standards of quality
for which the system is known will remain unaffected by these
changes.
In addition to this, the conditions are to be created to enable
the Convention to continue to keep pace with future technical and
legal developments, such as when European patent law has to be
adapted to international patent treaties or to European Community
law. For example, the EPC has not yet been brought into line with the
TRIPs Agreement or the new Patent Law Treaty (PLT).
The Basic Proposal also deals with important aspects of
substantive patent law, including the protection of computer programs
und pharmaceutical substances. It clarifies the extent of the
protection conferred by European patents. This will enable the
national courts to hand down more consistent decisions in patent
infringement proceedings. The further extension of the means of
redress in procedures before the EPO and the introduction of a
central limitation procedure for European patents will also have a
significant impact on patent practice.
ots Original Text Service: EPA
Internet: http://recherche.newsaktuell.de
For further information please contact:
Rainer Osterwalder, phone: +4989/2399-5012
fax: +4989/2399-2850
e-mail:  rosterwalder@epo.org
Website: http://www.european-patent-office.org

Original content of: Europäisches Patentamt (EPA), transmitted by news aktuell

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