Brussels, 04/09/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Italian Presidency will be focusing on work related to the internal market and intellectual property rights. In an interview with EUROPE, Sandro Gozi, Secretary of State for European Affairs, says he is seeking to conclude agreements by the end of the year on the trademarks package and protection of trade secrets. Publication of the White Paper on copyright is also eagerly awaited. (Interview by MD)
Agence Europe: The presentation of a White Paper on copyright is expected under your Presidency. What are your expectations on this?
Sandro Gozi: Modernisation of the legal regime governing copyright is a very important issue for us. The White Paper is not out yet but there has been a European Commission consultation whose results were published at the end of July. We can clearly see the member states' various preferences. It is obvious to us that we need a new policy on copyright, particularly for creativity and innovation. We have already planned technical-level meetings to tackle these dossiers. We need to try and promote the development of the activities of companies which work online. Nonetheless, there is also a need to guarantee the rights of artists and creators. Therefore, in our view, we need a very flexible approach. We already think that the current copyright regime provides room for flexibility in the digital arena. No doubt, we need to make provisions for very small adaptations, because we need to take into account the need to respect the fundamental importance of cultural diversity.
Could protection of trade secrets at European level become a reality soon?
This is a very important dossier because there is protection of corporate rights and intellectual property, freedom of the press and information. A series of themes linked to fundamental rights are therefore in play. We think that we need to move towards greater harmonisation, because it is necessary to guarantee an appropriate level of protection through, for example, possibilities of appeal when there have been cases of theft or the illegal use of trade secrets. This particularly affects SMEs, which are most exposed to these kinds of problems. One of our priorities is to encourage cross-border activities and, obviously, effective regulation of trade secrets will facilitate cross-border co-operation between companies, as well as joint research projects. We have a general approach that was reached during the May Competitiveness Council and we would like to begin negotiations to obtain an agreement in a first reading with the European Parliament. We hope, therefore, that parliamentarians will commit to this course of action as soon as possible (Ed: the JURI committee has not yet begun work on this subject, due to the European elections).
Will there be simplification of the European trademark under the Italian presidency?
We will be working on the trademark package because I believe that updating the system is absolutely necessary. Things need to be made easier and more efficient when it comes to protecting trademarks. This sector creates a lot of jobs. We have a mandate for beginning trialogue meetings with the European Parliament on the basis of a compromise text presented by the Italian Presidency at the end of July. We would also like to work as closely with the European Parliament's legal committee. We hope to reach a political agreement before the end of our six monthly tenure.
Do you intend to provide a follow up to the Green Paper on non-agricultural geographic indications?
The Commission Green Paper is very important to us because it goes in the direction of an improved internal market, protection and the development of industrial products, as well as local and traditional products, too. This is particularly important to Italy and SMEs. Today, SMEs are experiencing distribution problems in trade that even go beyond the usual area in which they operate. It is, therefore, in our interests to develop and promote this kind of production by exploiting the potential of the single market. The way in which we are going to regulate these questions at a European level will also depend on the approach and instruments we have for successfully negotiating trade agreements with third countries. We will therefore begin an informal debate in this regard, on the sidelines of the Competitiveness Council on 27 September. We will see how things stand, as well as the attitudes displayed by the different delegations.
Will Italy have any appetite for the European single patent?
Italy is only part of the jurisdictional system for the patent but not part of the enhanced cooperation for the single patent, just like the Spanish, too. We are now currently completing a consultation process with the different stakeholders to decide on whether or not ultimately to participate in this enhanced cooperation. We will make a decision on this question, in light of the benefits and disadvantages for Italy. This question remains open but I believe that, before the end of the year, we should have made a decision.