Getting patent policy right: a conclusion to a special issue on the European patent system

Abstract

This special issue has addressed key concerns within the European patent system, by looking at law, economics and political science. The conclusion here brings out certain themes from this discussion and considers a key unmentioned policy option regarding the economic mission of the patent system. Other pragmatic concerns of public relations and personnel are mentioned. The overall message is that we have faced challenges before in designing our patent systems. In fact, the current pressure from technology and patent users, as well as public opinion, gives those of us interested in the system a chance to properly reconsider why we have a patent system and make sure that it fits our needs, both now and in the future. The hope is that we end up realigning interests so that we are working more towards the key welfare goals of encouraging invention and the diffusion of knowledge within the European patent system. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.