asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the present position regarding the EEC proposals to introduce a uniform procedure for issuing European patents; and the result of the conference held in Munich in 1973.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Patents.
18.
The EEC patent system will be completed by a convention the terms of which have yet to be settled by a conference which will probably be convened later this year.
The convention when it comes into force will provide for the granting of a single European patent in respect of the EEC states.
At Munich last October, a draft convention for the setting up of a European system for the grant of patents was signed, subject to ratification, by 15 European states, including the nine member states of the EEC. The convention is not expected to come into force before 1976.