Seminar: The Future of International Patent Litigation in Europe

BIICLThis seminar is part of the British Institute’s seminar series on private international law which will run throughout the Autumn of 2006 and well into 2007 entitled Private International Law in the UK: Current Topics and Changing Landscapes.

Date: Monday 22nd January 2007, 17.30 – 19.30

Location: British Institute of International and Comparative Law, Charles Clore House, 17 Russell Square, London WC1B 5JP

Speakers:

Subject matter:

At present patents can be awarded either on a national basis or through the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich, which grants so-called ‘European Patents’ with a single application and granting procedure. However, once granted the European patent becomes a national patent for the designated Member State which causes difficulties by the need to work in different national legal systems in case of dispute. In view of the difficulties in reaching an agreement on the Community Patent, other legal agreements have been proposed outside the European Union legal framework to reduce the cost of litigation, namely the London Agreement and the European Patent Litigation Agreement (EPLA).

The Seminar will address current issues relative to international patent litigation with a particular focus on the practice in England and Wales. It will further explore recent and future developments at European Community level which will determine the substance of international patent litigation.

Sponsored by Herbert Smith. More information, including pricing, can be found on the BIICL website.