European Union lawmakers approved plans to create the first region-wide patent system .The European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, France, today adopted the proposal, allowing supporters of the plan to go ahead without the full support of all the European nations. It is reported that companies pay a sum of 18,000 euros including a sum of 10,000 euros for translating patent documents which is valid in 13 countries. Language seems to be a major issue in legally binding procedures. Attempts to reach to an agreement on a region-wide EU patent since 2000 have stumbled over the language issues. The EU has 23 official languages and numerous attempts have failed to satisfy political demands or cost concerning issues with translation of patent documents.The EU commission will be drafting new laws for the existing patent system soon.
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