Lobbying in Brussels: The EU Directive on the Patentability of Computer-Implemented Inventions (C)

Published 11 Jan 2006
Reference 5375
Region Europe
Length 2 page(s)
Summary

In 2002, the European Commission proposed a new European directive regulating the granting of computer-implemented inventions. Part A of this case describes how this proposal generated an unexpectedly intense conflict between the mainstream European and international communication and information technology, on the one hand, and the Open Source Movement, on the other and traces the shifting balance of power between these two groups of protagonists as the proposal wound its way through the European Union's decision-making organs. Part B describes the outcome of the conflict and Part C the lessons drawn from the conflict by the principal participants in it.

Teaching objectives

The objectives of the case are to facilitate the analysis of the determinants of 'successful' lobbying activity in the European Union (EU) and the identification of key factors of which business organizatons should be aware when trying to influence the legislative process in the EU.

Keywords
  • RD1106
  • AR2006
  • AR0607