§ 15. Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what modifications of the draft European Patent Convention he intends to seek at the Munich Conference in September.
§ The Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs (Sir Geoffrey Howe)The draft European Patent Convention will be of advantage to the British inventor by enabling him to protect his invention both throughout the EEC and in other European countries by a single application. Consideration of the latest draft of the convention has not yet been completed, but at present I do not see the need for seeking more than minor technical or drafting amendments.
§ Mr. PowellAs the draft was drawn up without prime attention to the interests and needs of British inventors and patent holders, will my right hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that those interests will be the overriding consideration of this country's representatives at the conference?
§ Sir G. HoweThe interests of those concerned with patents in this country involve many different matters. One of them is the nature of the system and location of the offices whereby the system is operated. The other is the nature of the rights conferred by a European patent. The negotiations leading to this convention have taken place among 21 countries. They enable a patent which is likely to be effected throughout that number of countries to be effective. That is one of the interests that British people concerned and patent holders are required to bear in mind, along with others.
§ Mr. EnglishWill the staff of the proposed new office conform linguistically to the proportion of patent applications sent to it?
§ Sir G. HoweThe linguistic balance of the staff has not been finally settled because the convention itself has not been finally settled; nor can we foresee the precise linguistic pattern of applications likely to be made. The probability is that English will be playing a substantial part in that.