[A2k] April 17-19, 2007 European Patent Reform (Scenarios for the future)

[Manon Ress]

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http://www.european-inventor.org/index.php?mid=4

European Patent Forum

European Patent Office
Erhardtstr. 27, 80469 Munich, Germany
18 and 19 April 2007

The European Patent Forum will be one of the first attempts to
examine intellectual property as a whole, taking into account
political, social, ethical, technological, environmental and
historical factors.

The first day provides a platform for debate on the European Patent
Office's scenarios for the future, with break-out sessions to explore
individual aspects in greater depth. Using the four scenarios as a
basis for discussion, participants will address possible solutions to
the problems of the future.

On the second day, the Forum will discuss scenarios developed by
other key players to broaden the conference's perspective and
encourage discussion among practitioners, policy-makers and the public.

The event, which promises to be a veritable "who's who" in the world
of IP, is part of the celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of
the founding of the European Patent Office.

See:
Scenarios for the future
http://www.european-inventor.org/index.php?mid=24

In the course of a two-year project, the EPO interviewed around 150
key players - including critics - from the fields of science,
business, politics, ethics, economics and law, seeking their opinions
on how intellectual property and patenting might evolve over the next
fifteen to twenty years.

Four scenarios - relevant and plausible stories about the future -
were developed in a series of workshops from their answers. These
scenarios, which were created with the help of more than 40 EPO staff
members, are intended as tools to generate policy debates and will be
presented to the public for the first time at the European Patent Forum.

Each scenario examines the future from a different perspective:

Business: How can IP be managed in a globalised world?
The patent system's monopolistic structure may sometimes appear
contrary to the interests of society, science and politics. How can
we ensure a fair balance for all parties?

Society: How might different cultural and ethical norms play out?
Many perceive the IP system as catering to the needs of big companies
and multinationals, while ignoring social and ethical problems. How
can barriers be overcome to achieve a fair and truly global system?

Geopolitics: How might the geopolitical balance of power change?
In developing countries the IP system is often seen as an instrument
of cultural and ethical colonisation. As new and powerful players
emerge, how will the rules of the game have to change?

Technology: What impact will changes in the nature or pace of
technology have?
New technologies in fields like computing, nanotechnology and
biotechnology are changing the way we live at an incredible pace. How
can the patent system keep up with changing technologies and the
increasing pace of innovation?

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Manon Anne Ress
manon.ress@keionline.org,
www.cptech.org

Consumer Project on Technology
1621 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009 USA
Tel.:  +1.202.332.2670, Ext 16 Fax: +1.202.332.2673

Consumer Project on Technology
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Tel: +41 22 791 6727

Consumer Project on Technology
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Tel: +44(0)207 226 6663 ex 252 Fax: +44(0)207 354 0607