Italy goes to European court over EU patent
Photo © Alexander Raths - Fotolia
(MILAN) - Italy said it had lodged a formal complaint with the European Court of Justice against a decision by 25 EU member states to come up with a European patent without its consent as part of a long-running row.
"Italy has sought recourse today in the Court of Justice of the European Union against a Council Decision from March 10, 2011 that authorised the institution of a European patent," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Italy is acting in defence of the values and objectives of the Union against an attempt to define a hierarchy of powers and values in violation of principles of equal dignity and respect of linguistic diversity," it added.
Italy and Spain oppose the th linguistic requirements for the patent which would be only allowed in English, French and German. Twenty-five EU states decided to proceed through "reinforced cooperation" despite the opposition.