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Conférence sur la brevetabilité des biotechnologies

Bruxelles le 8 novembre 2007

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Achievements, issues and questions

A conference organised by the European Patent Office 

8 November 2007, the Stanhope Hotel, Brussels

Nearly ten years have passed since the adoption of the European directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. What is the situation today with regard to the patentability of inventions relating to stem cells, genes or plants? What developments have occurred in legislation and patent office practice in Europe, and how have the changes affected the patenting strategies of applicants? What questions remain to be clarified, and how does the EPO address the practical issues in this area?

To provide up-to-date information and facilitate an open exchange of ideas, the EPO is organising a free conference on this topic. The speakers will include political decision-makers, representatives of society and patent experts.

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Content

In 1998 the European legislator adopted the Directive 98/44 EC for the legal protection of biotechnological inventions with a view to harmonising the patenting practice in this field. The Directive also forms a part of the EPO's legal body, the EPC, and is the basis for the Office's examination practice.

As technology advances and new challenges in science, ethics and politics arise, biotechnology patents continue to be in the focus of public attention. This conference seeks to assess the situation as it presents itself today from a political and technical perspective: What has been achieved since the directive entered into force? Which ones are the gains and unresolved issues? How does the picture present itself in areas of particular interest, such as DNA sequences, green biotechnology and human embryonic stem cells?

These questions will be addressed in four dedicated panels with expert speakers from the fields of politics, business, civil society and intellectual property. Regular updates on topics and speakers are published on the EPO's website at

Who should attend?

The conference addresses policy makers having an interest in intellectual property matters in European and national institutions, enterprises, special interest and civil society groups, and journalists.

The conference language is English.

Conference information and registration

Participation at the conference is free of charge. Please register at press@epo.org citing "Biotechnology Conference" in the subject line.

For all queries concerning further information please contact the press desk of the EPO:

Rainer Osterwalder
+4989-23991820 or +49163-8399527 (m)
rosterwalder@epo.org

Danielle Wagner
+4989-23991821
dwagner@epo.org

Conference moderator

Paul Meller
European Affairs Correspondent
Science Business magazine

Conference manager

Rainer Osterwalder
Director for Media Relations
European Patent Office

Programme

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