Research & Technology in the EU

Latest news about research policy in the European Union.

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EU fines Microsoft EUR 561 m for web browser choice — 06 March 2013, 16:30 CET

The EU has fined Microsoft 561 million euros for failing to provide customers with a choice of Internet browser, as promised, but ran into criticism it has allowed the US giant to monitor its own commitments.

Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs — 04 March 2013, 18:29 CET

Commission President José Manuel Barroso has called on Europe's digital businesses, governments, training and education sectors to join a Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs to address up to 900 000 job vacancies expected to exist in Europe in Information and Communication technologies (ICT) by 2015. Despite the current levels of unemployment, the number of digital jobs is growing by more than 100,000 per year. Yet the number of fresh ICT graduates and skilled ICT workers is not keeping up.

EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs — 05 March 2013, 12:54 CET

Even with unemployment at record highs, there are hundreds of thousands of jobs available in information technology that governments and companies must fill, says the European Commission.

Space surveillance and tracking proposal — 28 February 2013, 13:39 CET

The European Commission has proposed measures to keep Europe's space industry competitive and to set up a European satellite collision avoidance system. While the EU is seen as a strong player in the global market for commercial launchers and telecommunication satellites and services, it faces increasing competition from emerging industrial actors in countries such as China and India - competition posing a challenge to the further development of the EU's industry. To address this issue, the Commission is proposing what it calls a new industrial policy for the European space sector, with a number of targets: to increase industry skill levels, to make finance and investment more readily available, to ensure the EU's independence in space and also to reshape the EU's legislative framework to make it a driver for industry - for example with legislation to promote the production and dissemination of data from satellites for commercial purposes. These initiatives will be complemented by a surveillance and tracking system to protect satellites from collisions in space. There are around 16,000 objects orbiting the Earth larger than 10 cm, a collision with any of whom would destroy a satellite. The proposed support programme would allow EU Member States that monitor satellites and space debris to pool their capacities and establish, for the first time, a European monitoring system.

EU health research on rare diseases — 28 February 2013, 13:10 CET

In the European Union, a disease is considered rare when it affects not more than 1 person in 2 000. This low prevalence is the common feature shared by all rare diseases, which altogether affect all biological systems. This nevertheless means that between 6 000 and 8 000 different rare diseases affect or will affect an estimated 29 million people in the European Union. The focus of rare diseases research in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7; 2007-2013) is on Europe-wide studies of natural history, pathophysiology and on the development of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

New research on rare diseases — 28 February 2013, 13:17 CET

The European Commission has, on Rare Disease Day 2013, announced EUR 144 million of new funding for 26 research projects on rare diseases. The projects will help improve the lives of some of the 30 million Europeans suffering from a rare disease. The selected projects bring together over 300 participants from 29 countries in Europe and beyond, including teams from leading academic institutions, SMEs and patients' groups. The goal is to pool resources and work beyond borders, to get a better understanding of rare diseases and find adequate treatments.

Regenerative Medicine: From Biology to Therapy' (Cambridge, from 30 October 2013, 00:00 CET to 01 November 2013, 00:00 CET) —

An event entitled 'Regenerative Medicine: From Biology to Therapy' will be held from 30 October to 1 November 2013 in Cambridge, UK.

Europe to move against Google over privacy rules — 18 February 2013, 18:47 CET

European data protection agencies intend to take action against the US Internet giant Google after it failed to follow their orders to comply with EU privacy laws.

EU maps out new cyber-security plan — 07 February 2013, 17:26 CET

The European Commission on Thursday launched a new cyber-security plan, aimed at safeguarding vital information systems and bolstering the bloc's defences against a growing criminal threat.

EuroNano Forum 2013 (Dublin, from 18 June 2013, 00:00 CET to 20 June 2013, 00:00 CET) —

The 'EuroNano Forum 2013' will be held from 18 to 20 June 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.

Graphene, 'Human Brain Project' get EUR 2bn funds — 28 January 2013, 16:43 CET

Research into the wonder material graphene and the neurochemistry of the human brain will receive up to two billion euros in funding, the biggest research award of its kind in history, says the Commission.

Anheuser-Busch wins European rights to 'Bud' trademark — 23 January 2013, 10:56 CET

Brewer Anheuser-Busch, which owns the Budweiser brand of beer, won on Tuesday a long legal battle against the Czech company Budejovicky Budvar over who owns the trademark "Bud" in Europe.

Microsoft slams Google on 'proper' YouTube app — 03 January 2013, 13:31 CET

Microsoft has stepped up its criticism of Google on antitrust grounds, claiming the Internet giant refuses to allow Windows Phone users "proper access" to the YouTube video service.

Samsung injunctions against Apple breach rules: EU — 21 December 2012, 23:42 CET

The European Commission said Friday that South Korea's Samsung Electronics was abusing its dominant market position in certain technologies when it took out injunctions against fierce rival Apple.

EU says to set out anti-trust case against Samsung soon — 20 December 2012, 21:37 CET

The EU will set out its case against Samsung Electronics "very soon" following an anti-trust probe of the smartphone and mobile tablet market, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Thursday.

EU decision on Microsoft probe close — 20 December 2012, 17:50 CET

The European Commission says it is close to a decision in its investigation of US giant Microsoft and its failure to provide clients with a choice of Web browser, as it had promised to do.

Digital Agenda Review - new digital priorities for 2013-2014 — 19 December 2012, 00:20 CET

The European Commission has adopted seven new priorities for the digital economy and society. The digital economy is growing at seven times the rate of the rest of the economy, but the Commission says this potential is currently held back by a patchy pan-European policy framework. Today's priorities follow a comprehensive policy review and place new emphasis on the most transformative elements of the original 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe.

EU, Google to seek anti-trust accord — 18 December 2012, 23:57 CET

The European Union will seek an accord with US Internet search giant Google as progress has been made in resolving EU anti-trust concerns, Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said Tuesday.

Online news least read in France -- Estonia, Lithuania lead — 19 December 2012, 00:02 CET

Only about one in three internet users in France went online to catch the news or read their favourite newspapers in the last three months, the lowest in any EU nation, European Union data showed Tuesday.

GMES/Copernicus - European Earth Observation Programme — 11 December 2012, 23:42 CET

Copernicus is the new name of the European Commission’s Earth Observation Programme, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). The new name was announced today by Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani during the Competitiveness Council. In a world facing an increased risk of natural and other disasters Copernicus aims to monitor the state of the environment on land, at sea and in the atmosphere and also to improve citizens' security. At the same time, Copernicus is a driver for economic growth and employment, with the potential to create up to 85 000 new jobs over the period 2015-2030, according to a recent study.

The EU Unitary Patent: A 'One Stop Shop' for Monsanto & Co — 11 December 2012, 17:52 CET

This week the European Parliament is supposed to vote on a new EU Unitary Patent that also foresees the establishment of a Unified Patent Court. The new EU regulation aims to accelerate the granting of patents within the EU. The international coalition of No Patents on Seeds! and other institutions are warning that adopting the EU Unitary Patent would not be in line with the interests of civil society.

EU patent: SMEs welcome unitary system, urge Italy and Spain to join — 11 December 2012, 17:41 CET

UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation, warmly welcomed the votes at the Competitiveness Council yesterday (Monday) and at the European Parliament today (Tuesday) paving the way to a unitary patent system in the EU.

Single European Patent — 11 December 2012, 14:24 CET

EU inventors will soon be able to get a unitary patent at last. After over 30 years of talks, the European Parliament put its stamp to a new regime which will cut the cost of an EU patent by up to 80%, making it more competitive vis-à-vis the US and Japan. In the compromise deal with the Council endorsed by Parliament on 11 December 2012, MEPs cut costs for small firms and tailored the regime better to their needs.

Single EU patent dream a reality after decades-long struggle — 11 December 2012, 17:54 CET

The decades-old dream of a genuine cross-border patent regime for Europe is a reality after the European Parliament and the EU's top court approves moves to streamline the system.

Top EU legal officer rejects Spain, Italy single patent case — 11 December 2012, 17:24 CET

Efforts by Spain and Italy to prevent adoption of a single EU patent system by their EU partners should be dismissed, the chief legal officer of the European Court of Justice recommended Tuesday.