The UK Government is to propose changes to patent laws so it can catch up with the US and ensure a profitable computer industry. In the 1970s Europe decided computer programs should not be patentable, but according to Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry it is time for change. McCartney […]
The UK Government is to propose changes to patent laws so it can catch up with the US and ensure a profitable computer industry. In the 1970s Europe decided computer programs should not be patentable, but according to Ian McCartney MP, Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry it is time for change. McCartney plans to present proposals to reduce the patent office fees, relating to trademarks as well as patents, to Parliament later in the year. McCartney said: while software and computer programs are patentable in the US, and Japan is moving in the same direction, they are not as a general rule patentable in Europe. Speaking at a conference on Software Patents in Europe, McCartney said intellectual property rights must be delivered in a user-friendly way and to be good value for money. He also pointed out that innovative technology is a platform from which new and existing companies can develop in a modern and forward looking economy. But there are organizations and individuals who argue against patent law changes, because they see monopoly rights as intrinsically dangerous, and the technical difficulties faced by patent offices in conducting an effective search of prior art in computer algorithms are considerable and many software patents could be subject to legal challenge. McCartney highlighted the fact that any changes must and would, protect the interests of the consumer.
