epoline® Annual Conference 2003 Programme - Wednesday, 10 december 2003
Stream I : Presentations
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| 8.30 - 9.15 | Coffee |
9.15 - 10.00
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The importance of innovation for Spanish companies.
The European patent system as a tool for protecting innovation.
Juan Rosell, Managing Director of Congost Plastic, S.A., Foment del Treball Nacional (leading association of Catalan enterprises)
This presentation will deal with the importance of innovation for the competitiveness of Spanish enterprises and of Catalan companies in particular.
It will also analyse the use of European patents by Spanish businesses to protect inventions and will consider why the volume of European patents originating in Spain is so small in comparison with other countries. Reference will also be made to the effects that the European
patent system has on the disclosure of new technology to Spanish firms. |
10.00 - 10.45
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Intellectual property: access to medicines
Ruth Mayne, Policy Adviser, Oxfam GB
In recent years international controversy has raged over whether global
patent rules as enshrined in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) – are set to further restrict poor
people's access to vital life-saving medicines. Now, the issue has come
centre stage in international policy-making. One indication of this is that
meaningful reform of World Trade Organization (WTO) patent rules,
aimed at ensuring poor countries' access to affordable medicines, has
become a litmus test for the so-called Doha Development Round at the
WTO. This presentation examines the implications of global patent rules
for access to medicines and R&D, and the policy implications. |
| 10.45 - 11.15 | Coffee |
11.15 - 12.00
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Computer-related inventions, in particular business methods:
examination at the European Patent Office
Jörg Machek, Director, European Patent Office
The requirements of the European Patent Convention regarding the
patentability of methods for doing business will be investigated. The
relevant articles and rules will be looked at, taking into account various
decisions of the boards of appeal.
How does this translate into the everyday life of a patent examiner in
the field of business methods? The pragmatic approach currently in use
at the EPO consists of two steps: a check on patentability, and then on
inventiveness (inventive step). The concept of ”technicality” plays an
important role in both cases.
Examples will be given to clarify these points. |
| 12.00 - 13.00 | Lunch |
13.30 - 14.15
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Recent developments in biotech patent law
Dr. Rainer Moufang, Legal Member of the Boards of Appeal of the EPO
Although the EU directive on the legal protection of biotechnological
inventions withstood the challenge before the European Court of
Justice, it has not yet been implemented in several EU member states.
Ongoing controversies surround the patentability of genes and the
definition of ethical limits, for instance in connection with embryonic
stem cell technology. In the aftermath of the Novartis decision of the
EPO's Enlarged Board of Appeal, discussions are also continuing on the
interface between the patent system and plant breeders' rights. Recent
EPO appeal case law has addressed further aspects of the patentability
requirements for biotech-related inventions. |
14.15 - 15.00
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The substantive patent law harmonisation process and
how it could improve the electronic handling of European
patent files
Luis Alfonso Durán, European Patent Attorney, Durán-Corretjer S.L.
How could substantive patent law harmonisation and improved
processing of electronic files from the world's patent offices facilitate
the handling of electronic documentation at the EPO?
WIPO has proposed a draft treaty on substantive patent law
harmonisation, but national delegates are having difficulty in reaching a
consensus on several issues. The presentation will focus on areas
where harmonisation could improve electronic file handling and thus
reduce the duplication of work at the EPO and other patent offices.
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| 15.00 - 15.30 | Coffee |
15.30 - 16.15
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Making Sparks Fly
Mandy Haberman, inventor
Mandy is a rare breed, a lone inventor who has not only been a
commercial success but has taken on the industry giants and won,
enforcing her patent rights through the UK High Court. Having achieved
this success, she feels that the patent system itself is now failing her.
Mandy’s presentation describes the challenges and pitfalls that private
inventors and SMEs typically face in the current business environment,
and her experience of patent litigation that resulted in her becoming an
activist for change. She will also share with us her concerns about
existing EPO policy and the proposals for COMPAT.
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epoline® Annual Conference 2003
9 to 11 December 2003 Barcelona, Spain
Introduction
Programme
Programme at-a-glance (PDF)
Registration form
Useful information and contacts
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