Patents

Patents

This subtopic provides an overview of patent rights under EU law.

The World Intellectual Property Office defines intellectual property (IP) as 'creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; design; and symbols, names and images used in commerce'. Broadly, the aim of IP law is to cultivate an environment in which creativity and invention can flourish. Protection of IP rights means those that invest time and resource in creating and developing IP can reap benefit from their investment. By registering (where necessary), maintaining and enforcing IP rights, a rights holder can prevent people stealing or copying valuable assets.

The four most common IP rights are:

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copyright, databases & associated rights
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designs
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patents, and
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trade marks

This subtopic focuses on patent rights. Patents protect technical innovations in how things work, eg a new product or process for doing something, or that offers a new technical solution to a problem.

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To track the progress of key patent judgments, legislative proposals and consultations related to patents and trade

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