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Mr. Seán Sherlock T.D., Minister for Research and Innovation, today [Monday] welcomed the adoption of a common approach on the implementation of a Unified Patent Protection at the Extraordinary Competitiveness Council in Luxembourg today.

Speaking of the lengthy delay in failing to agree these proposals over several decades, he said "We cannot afford to continually undermine Europe’s competitiveness by delaying the introduction of the Unified Patent Protection and today, we are finally moving towards the goal of issuing the first unitary patent in the near future"　

Minister Sherlock said ‘Ireland supports the development of a Unified Patent Protection as it promises significant savings for firms who need to protect new inventions and technologies. It will also reduce the cost and complexity of extending patent protection for firms who wish to expand beyond their home markets and finally, it will make the patent protection system more effective and simpler for Irish SMEs to operate.

‘This will enhance significantly Ireland’s efforts to strengthen its competitiveness and give many Irish firms the potential to become truly global operators.

‘Patent reform is one of the key elements of the internal market agenda. We must encourage competitiveness and innovation and help European businesses reduce the costs of protecting and defending their Intellectual Property.

"One of the key outcomes of this reform will be a reduction in costs to business. It’s about growing our enterprises and creating jobs.

"The provision of a uniform patent protection will have the positive effect of recognising patents registered by Irish companies across the participating EU Member States,’ the Minister concluded.