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Handelsblatt
Super minister with execution issues: Lambrecht is running out of time on important projects
Shortly before the summer break, the CDU/CSU and SPD are aiming to finalise some unfinished coalition projects. One such project is reform of the German patent law.
IP2Innovate, which represents, among others, Adidas, BMW, Daimler, Deutsche Telekom and SAP, believes that effective modernization of German patent law is overdue, but possible. "Passing the law before the end of this legislative period is absolutely necessary to avert further damage to innovation, competitiveness and employment in Germany" - Ludwig von Reiche, IP2I Board Member, told Handelsblatt.
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Other press coverage
Managing IP
UPC take-up likely to be poor, say industry counsel
In its article on whether companies are likely to make use of the Unified Patent Court (UPC), Managing IP reports that implementers see the enforcement associated with the unitary patent as more of a threat than an opportunity due to the enormous number of applicable patents and therefore likely lawsuits for their infringement and associated defense.
IP2Innovate welcomes the call by CDU/CSU to introduce a proportionality test in the German Patent Act to better protect innovators against patent trolls
In a recent the German Conservatives (CDU/CSU) Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker and Ingmar Jung express concerns over abusive litigation practices by patent trolls, which distort the market and undermine Germany’s attractiveness as a business location. They note that in light of the high complexity of modern products, companies can no longer completely rule out the possibility of patent infringements. In this context, an unlimited right to injunctive relief create unwarranted leverage for patent trolls who buy up patents only to assert them against companies and extract disproportionately high settlements. Solutions proposed by CDU/CSU are the introduction of a proportionality test in the German Patent Act as well as a synchronisation of infringement and nullity proceedings.
Wall Street Journal
Germany Shuts Door on Patent Trolls
BERLIN—Germany on Friday removed a legislative quirk that had made it a prime destination for globally active patent litigators who increasingly target fast-growing tech companies.