Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 May 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 June 2005. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Monday, 6 June 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Draft European Computer Implemented Inventions Directive

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from (a) representatives of industry and (b) others following the recent European Parliament report proposing changes to the draft European Computer Implemented Inventions Directive; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Since, the rapporteur Michel Rocard MEP's report on the 13 April, the Secretary of State and his predecessor, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Leicester, West have received two letters on the computer implemented inventions directive. One of these letters came from the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents and the other came from the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend, passing on the concerns of a constituent. Officials at the Patent Office have continued to engage with all interested parties, having recently completed a series of workshops on the concept of ““technical contribution”” within the directive. These workshops were attended by over 300 people, and a full report is available on the Patent Office website.

Secondary information