Patent rights are granted when new discoveries, often the result of research, are made public and which benefit mankind. This rewards the finder for a period of time by preventing any competition. This is not a strict legal definition.
There are at least two ways in which Patent Rights are abused, -
- some countries do not respect international patent laws,
- some companies claim patent right time extentions following new improvements of the original patent, only to maintain a high selling price and to prevent competition.
Should the EU not protect its companies and its electors against abuse ?
Asia particularly, by using cheap child labour, mass produces copies of patented products for markets world-wide. EU companies, however, prolong patent lives by claiming new "discoveries" which enhanse the original patent.
Aquiring patent rights can be a profitable occupation. Simply buying a company in the EU and transferring its patents or know-how for production abroad is daylight robbery ! It means unemployment in the EU !
Alternatively, EU companies can create subsidiaries abroad to benefit from cheaper labour costs, but finally this results in less employment in the EU !
When will the Members of the European Council deign to undertake steps to protect the EU in these matters ? Other geographical blocks already have defined policies in this area ! Should the EU not speak with one voice ?.
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