Biotechnological Inventions

Expert group

The Commission has decided to set up an expert group that will assist the Commission in preparing a report on the development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering. A call for applications is annexed to the Commission Decision for selecting members of the expert group. Closing date for applications: 12.12.2012.

• Commission Decision on setting up a Commission expert group on development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering (including call for applications)  
• Press announcement (09.11.2012)

Directive 98/44/EC

Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions

• Text of the Directive
• Frequently Asked questions (30.07.2000)
• State of play (15.01.2007)  

Reports

14.07.2005	Development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council (COM(2005) 312 final) Annex 1   Annex 2   Press release (18.07.2005)
07.10.2002	Development and implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2002) 545 final) Press release (10.10.2002)
14.01.2002	An assessment of the implications for basic genetic engineering research of failure to publish, or late publication of, papers on subjects which could be patentable as required under Article 16(b) of Directive 98/44/EC Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council (COM(2002) 2 final) Annex

Other documents

16.12.2004	Proposal of the European Community and its Member States to WIPO: Disclosure of origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications
	Activities of the European Union - Summaries of legislation Legal protection of biotechnological inventions