The temporary protection of intellectual property fosters research and development in all countries. It is also the basis for the spread of innovations – making it possible to buy and sell innovations.

Patent protection is a prerequisite for an efficient healthcare system, since without it hardly any drugs would be developed. Furthermore, over 90% of what the World Health Organization calls ‘essential medicines’ have long-since been out of patent and are offered by various companies worldwide.

No. Most climate-protection technologies are not patented in developing countries. Lack of infrastructure has a much more serious obstacle than patent protection. And here, too, it is true that hardly any climate technologies would be developed without patent protection.

Both the global and the European Union’s patent system should be harmonized and made more user-friendly. Reducing the costs of bureaucracy would enable more funds to flow into research and development. In this context we welcome ‘enhanced cooperation’ between the majority of EU states in which virtually all the EU countries have agreed on an efficient Community patent. The aim is to incorporate all EU countries.

The WTO’s TRIPS agreement allows restrictions of patent protection in exceptional cases, for example where there is urgent demand for a drug or in the interests of technology transfer. The scope defined there should not be exceeded.

Extensive information is submitted to the authorities when applying for the approval of new drugs or pesticides. This information is the result of many years of complex research and must be protected.

Faked products in the fields of health and nutrition not only endanger patients and consumers, but also undermine the competitiveness of manufacturers. Industry, associations, government agencies and non-governmental organizations should work together and act decisively against product piracy.

Trivial patents harm both innovative companies and the general public; so-called ‘patent trolls’ abuse patent law with the aim of forcing royalty payments.