Paris, 12/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Compagnie nationale française des conseils en propriété industrielle (CNCPI) has called on the French government to refuse to sign the London Protocol in June on patents which would scrap the requirement for European patents to be translated into French, according to AFP. Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece are also reported to be refusing to sign. Numerous multinationals (including 30-odd French multinationals) have called for the translation requirement to be scrapped since it adds to the cost of patents. The language question has been brought up by the same Member States in negotiations over the Community patent, which would set up a centralised patent procedure for the whole of the EU, but the draft Directive indicates that only English, German and French language texts would be allowed. Spain is calling for other Community languages to be added.