Patents and Utility Models: Biotechnology Directive

United Kingdom

The Commission's proposals for a Biotechnology Directive passed the European Parliament in July.
Sixty-six amendments were proposed of which all but one have been accepted by the Commission. (The one rejected amendment was, amongst other things, in breach of the Data Protection Directive).


The Council of Ministers approved the revised draft on 27 November. It will now go back to the European Parliament for a second reading, possibly in July 1998.


There are reports that the Greens are trying, once again, to delay its becoming law and to water it down.


It is not clear when it will come into force.