Euro MP welcomes adoption of strict limits on patenting of computer implemented inventions

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Sep 2003

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem Euro MP, has welcomed today's adoption by the European Parliament of legislation which will introduce Europe-wide patenting legislation for computer implemented inventions, but with strict limitations.

The Parliament report harmonises current practice in the European Patents Office, and will ensure that patents in the field of computer engineering will be issued on the same basis in all Member States. However, MEPs adopted amendments endorsed by the Liberals for the legislation to be strictly limited to new inventions only.

ELDR Group Legal Affairs spokeswoman Diana Wallis welcomed the vote:

"The adoption of this directive is essential, as the current patchwork of national legislation only leads to legal uncertainty. The alternative is to slip into a US-style situation where the patenting of software as such is commonplace. This legislation secures legal guarantees for computer implemented inventions, but there must be clear restrictions to its scope. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular have been concerned that patenting will restrict their ability to write new and better software without infringing the rules. At the same time, SMEs will also benefit from the legal certainty established by this directive."