Fragmentation and the European Patent System

Introduction I. Background II. The European Patent System III. Terminology IV. Perspectives on Fragmentation V. Outline PART I FRAGMENTATION AND THE EUROPEAN PATENT SYSTEM TODAY 1. Existing Routes to Patent Protection in Europe I. National Patent Systems II. The European (EPC) Patent System III. The International Patent Application IV. Existing Fragmentation 2. Forthcoming Route to EU Unitary Patent Protection I. Background to the Unitary Patent Package II. The Unitary Patent Package III. Concerns Related to the Unitary Patent Package IV. Further Fragmentation PART II ALTERNATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF FRAGMENTATION 3. Fragmentation in European Law-Making I. Constructing Europe and the European Patent System II. The Impact of Expansion III. Fragmentation as a Means of Integration 4. Fragmentation in the International Legal System I. Fragmentation in the International Legal System II. Application to the European Patent System III. Fragmentation as an Inherent Aspect of a Legal System PART III FRAGMENTATION AND SUBSTANTIVE PATENT LAW 5. Responding to Fragmentation as an Inherent Aspect of the European Patent System I. Areas of Divergence II. Towards Convergence – Judicial Dialogue and Cooperation III. Fragmentation as an Inherent Aspect of the European Patent System 6. Accepting Fragmentation as a Necessary Aspect of the European Patent System I. The Impact of the Biotech Directive II. Interpretations of the Exceptions to Patentability III. Impact of the Unitary Patent Package IV. Considering Diversity and Value Pluralism when Responding to Fragmentation Conclusion: Fragmentation and the European Patent System