Intellectual Property and the Internal Market of the European Community

This work, perhaps for the first time, provides a description of the great variety of proposals at EEC level for the reform and harmonisation of intellectual property law. It addresses patents, copyright and neighbouring rights, trade marks, biotechnology, semiconductor chips, topography right, industrial designs and plant breeders'' rights. Save as required for the purpose of shedding light on the EEC proposals, it does not attempt to examine member states'' national laws. In the case of industrial designs, where no harmonisation has yet been proposed, a very brief survey of national jurisdictions is presented. There is a useful appendix of documents, a bibliography and index. This practical handbook will prove invaluable to practitioners, both in the IP field and non-specialists, seeking up-to-date information on European developments, including solicitors, barristers, patent agents and trade mark agents in private practice, commerce and industry throughout the EEC and in Member States'' major trading partners.