Issue #0521/2 - Relief for manufacturers as EC backs down.
Interesting timing sees news breaking this week regarding proposals prepared by the European Commission concerning filing of patents that would actually have made it more difficult for design and manufacturing companies to obtain high levels of patent protection on their products.
One reader of last week’s article ("Epson strikes a blow for patent protection") pointed out that for printer manufacturers to take a third party supplies manufacturer to court would involve revealing the technology secrets of the products in question – the very secrets that the patent is intended to protect. If these were revealed, reverse engineering of an OEM product could be avoided by unscrupulous third party manufacturers who are prepared to flaunt the patent laws.
However, it is reported that opposition from Microsoft, Nokia, Siemens and other large companies has resulted in the proposals being watered down and, although the bill will now go for ratification before the European parliament, it is expected to meet more strong opposition.
~End~
