Brussels, 26/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, together with the parliamentary committee on legal affairs (JRI), took stock of the various work underway or to come relating to intellectual property and the modernisation of the corporate legal environment. As the end of the year, and especially of the legislature, is coming up fast, such an overview is extremely useful.
Intellectual property. As far as intellectual property is concerned, Barnier confirmed his intention to present, on Friday 29 November, a proposal for a directive on business secrets (see EUROPE 10970) in order to help combat the theft of our businesses' strategic assets. The commissioner also welcomed the agreement reached on the collective management of copyright (see related article). Then there was the possibility in the spring of next year of new proposals for the modernisation of the legislative framework on copyright. These will be informed by the results of the public consultation, due in the coming days, and from the “Licences for Europe” initiative (see EUROPE 10962). For brand names, he is still counting on a first reading agreement on the package, despite the disagreement on provisions relating to the Office of Harmonisation for the Internal Market (OHIM). He plans to put pressure on member states in this respect during the Competitiveness Council on 2 December, and also concerning ratification of the agreement for a European patent. Today, he noted, obtaining protection with a European patent in all EU countries costs over €36,000. With the unitary patent, however, that will be brought down to close to €5,000. Finally, he promised a Green Paper on geographic indications, protecting non-agricultural and non-food products, as national rules are highly fragmented.
Enterprise. Regarding the modernisation of the legal framework for businesses, Barnier spoke of the possibility, in 2014, of drafting a proposal on one-man companies, as well as recommendations on enterprise governance. He said he was waiting for an agreement on the proposal for a statute for European foundations, while regretting that member states hope to do away with tax provisions. Regarding reform underway of the audit sector, Barnier does not rule out an agreement in institutional dialogue in coming weeks. (MD/transl.jl)