European Commission decides against patents on plants
The interpretation of the Biotech Directive (Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions) is being debated as a result of a statement issued by the European Commission (EC). Frits Michiels, patent attorney at V.O., qualifies the commotion: ‘The statement by the Commission has no immediate legal effect. I certainly do not envisage any changes for the near future.’ Continue reading
Additional translations no longer required in Belgium for a European patent
The London Agreement will be implemented in Belgium from 1 January 2017 by a legislative amendment. Consequently, it will no longer be necessary to submit a translation for the validation of a granted European patent in Belgium, including for patent applications drawn up in English. Continue reading
Important changes in procedural law
From 1 January 2017, there will be changes to the way in which legal proceedings are conducted in the Netherlands. The new regulations will be phased in and introduced on a court-by-court basis. The starting point of these new regulations is to simplify and digitise proceedings. The most important changes are summarised below. Continue reading