EU patents should protect research, says Slovenian minister

LJUBLJANA: Slovenia’s economy minister has called for better EU patent laws to safeguard research in the fight against climate change.

“We must protect our intellectual property sothat results are available to all, regardless of their economicposition,” Andrej Vizjak told a conference in on Tuesday.

“We need effective, new solutions to changeour approach towards climate change.”

Introducing the conference on patenting andclimate change in Ljubjana, Vizjak said that efficient regulationof Europe’s intellectual property rights is essential to encouragethe development of new technology to deal with global warming andenergy security.

He also said that fostering research anddevelopment was a key priority for the Slovenian presidency.

“We need an effective patenting system inEurope. The Slovenian presidency will do its best and make this apriority,” he said.

“I hope this forum will provide some solutionsto these challenges.”

Alison Brimlow, president of the Europeanpatent office (EPO), welcomed the support of the Europeancommission.

“This is a clear sign of the interest has inintellectual property protection,” she said.

The event is being hosted jointly by theSlovenian government, the Slovenian intellectual property office,the EPO and the European commission.

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