Press Releases
VICTORY ON PATENT COURTS FOLLOWING SNP PRESSURE AT WESTMINSTER
In a debate in Westminster, the coalition government has conceded on the issue of patent courts following pressure from the SNP MP , Pete Wishart. In today’s third reading of the Intellectual Property Bill, the UK government minister David Willetts confirmed that the Court of Session in Edinburgh will secure divisional court status in the new European unified patent court.
SNP MP Pete Wishart commented:
'This is a fantastic victory for the legal establishment in Scotland and we will now be able to continue to hear patent cases in Edinburgh as a divisional court in the new European wide Unified Patent Court regime. I raised these concerns through all stages of the intellectual Property Bill and am very pleased that in response to my amendments today the UK government have said that we can secure a divisional court if we can demonstrate demand.
‘Not only is there demand in Scotland but there is also centuries of experience, skills and expertise in dealing with patent case in Scotland and I know that IP rich businesses, creators and inventors will very much welcome this news.
‘It would have been patently absurd for Scotland to be denied a divisional patent court with our tradition of invention and creativity and this is great news for all businesses associated with developing our creative economy in Scotland.’
Back to All Press Releases