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The Wall Street Journal
A Push to End Germany’s Status as ‘Paradise for Patent Trolls’
A coalition of German blue-chip firms and foreign multinationals, including big U.S. tech firms, is advocating for legislation that would lessen the country’s appeal for those seeking to assert their intellectual property. Supporters of the proposed legislation say German patent law, rooted in the 19th century, is out of date. When Carl Benz received the patent for his car in 1886, “it was one patent for one product,” said Ludwig von Reiche, managing director for Nvidia in Germany and chair of the German Working Group of IP2Innovate.
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IP2Innovate's statement on the Commission's intention to withdraw the SEP Regulation
BRUSSELS, 12 February 2025 - IP2Innovate's statement on the Commission's intention to withdraw the SEP Regulation
IP2Innovate expresses deep concern over the European Commission's intention to withdraw the Standards Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation. This last-minute decision would represent a significant setback for Europe's innovation ecosystem, including for a large number of European SMEs, and sends a troubling signal to innovative businesses that rely on predictable and fair SEP licensing frameworks.
The Commission’s justification for withdrawing the proposal, citing the absence of a “foreseeable agreement,” is misleading. The European Parliament has adopted a negotiating position with an overwhelming majority. On the Council's side, several working group meetings have already been scheduled, including one for February 27, which would have allowed further discussion on this important issue.
The current patent system in Europe urgently needs modernisation to bolster the region's competitiveness and innovation capacity. The lack of transparency and fairness in SEP licensing, combined with the absence of the application of proportionality to patent infringement cases, continues to impede innovation and ultimately diminishes the benefits of interoperability for European consumers.
We strongly urge the Member States and European Parliament to reject this proposal for withdrawal and demonstrate their commitment to progressing this vital file.
Looking ahead, we call upon the Commission to modernise the existing patent framework that applies to both SEPs and non-SEPs alike. This should include targeted amendments to the IPR Enforcement Directive, particularly concerning remedies for patent infringements. Such reforms are essential to strengthen Europe's competitive position in the global innovation landscape.
Statement by IP2Innovate in reaction to Commissioner Breton’s comments about the European patent system
“IP2Innovate welcomes Commissioner Breton’s today and we support his call for a balanced and effective European IP system,” said Patrick Oliver, Executive Director of IP2Innovate.
IP2Innovate
IP2I welcomes the European Parliament's formal request, adopted today, calling on the Commission to investigate the practices of patent assertion entities in Europe.
Brussels, 11 November 2021 – The European Parliament has instructed the European Commission to investigate in-depth how PAEs, also known as non-practising entities, or more colloquially patent trolls, game the European patent system.