Intellectual Property Rights and counterfeiting

The protection of intellectual and industrial property is governed by many international conventions. The European Commission is striving for the harmonization of national laws in different areas and more effective protection of intellectual and industrial property throughout Europe. UEAPME supports this goal and seeks to ensure a high level of protection of intellectual rights for SMEs without excessive costs.

UEAPME and its members are also particularly concerned with counterfeiting, an issue that goes well beyond luxury products and textiles as it is often assumed and is particularly worrysome for small businesses.

Position papers

  June 2005: UEAPME Position on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions for the European Parliament 2nd Reading

  July 2003: Position Paper on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions

  February 1999: UEAPME draft Position Paper on the "Green Paper on Counterfeiting and Piracy in the Single Market"

Press releases

  01/07/2010: EU patent: SMEs warmly welcome hallmark proposal on translation arrangements

  04/04/2007: Lack of progress on the creation of a Community Patent

  09/11/2006: More policy efforts are needed on the European patent system

  29/09/2006: Patent litigation agreement is not a substitute to a comprehensive patent policy

  12/07/2006: Community Patent should be back at the top of the EU agenda

  03/05/2006: SMEs need a tailored and pro-active European patent policy

  06/07/2005: Rejection of software patent directive a good result for European SMEs

  21/06/2005: Parliament proposal on software patents would hit small firms

  27/04/2005: SMEs oppose cynical attempt to mislead MEPs on software patent

  07/03/2005: Council decision a blow to new proposal on patents for computer-implemented inventions

  08/02/2005: New proposal needed on patents for computer-implemented inventions