brexit means brexit
UK formally abandons Europe's Unified Patent Court, Germany plans to move forward nevertheless:
The UK has formally ditched the Unified Patent Court (UPC), a project to create a single pan-European patent system that would fix the confusing mess of contradictory laws currently in place.
In a written statement in the House of Commons on Monday, the British undersecretary for science, research and innovation Amanda Solloway noted that: "Today, by means of a Note Verbale, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has withdrawn its ratification of the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court."
The reason is, of course Brexit. "In view of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, the United Kingdom no longer wishes to be a party to the Unified Patent Court system. Participating in a court that applies EU law and is bound by the CJEU would be inconsistent with the Government's aims of becoming an independent self-governing nation," she said.
[...] The whole idea of the UPC has been fought for over a decade now, making many its adherents borderline fanatical in making it a reality, even more so given frequent setbacks. In their unerring support, however, many seem willing to overlook or turn a blind eye to serious problems, not least of which is the mess that is the European Patent Office (EPO).
[...] The EPO is, of course, a big fan of the UPC and insists the UK leaving is a mere trifle to the larger European dream of a single patent system; a system that would give it significantly more power:
"These economic benefits for European companies and especially SMEs will not be affected by the announcement of the United Kingdom," it insisted in its submission to the German government.
"Even without the UK, the UP package will lead to significant simplification and cost reduction for the companies of the participating EU member states, which is also largely recognized by European companies."
(Score: 4, Insightful) by turgid on Saturday July 25 2020, @07:44PM (7 children)
I have friends and colleagues from all over the world, including former Eastern Block (USSR) countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary. They are highly intelligent people and some are old enough to remember life under Communism and their parents certainly do. The are all pro-EU and are absolutely shocked and astounded that the UK has fallen for this divisive propaganda and has left the EU. The EU is nothing like the USSR.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2020, @08:28PM (2 children)
Vladimir Bukovsky disagreed [archive.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2020, @09:25PM (1 child)
Why don't you listen to the 1hr audio and find the quote that you tell us support your position? Thanks.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2020, @10:03PM
I did not assert a position but since you're interested, here's some excepts from a Brussels speech Bukovsky made in 2006.
(Score: 3, Troll) by rleigh on Saturday July 25 2020, @08:48PM (3 children)
"The most puzzling development in modern politics is the apparent determination of Western European leaders to re-create the Soviet Union in Western Europe" -- Mikhail Gorbachev.
(Score: 2) by turgid on Saturday July 25 2020, @10:25PM (2 children)
The most puzzling development in modern politics is the apparent attempt to recreate North Korra in the UK.
I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent [wikipedia.org].
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 25 2020, @10:34PM
Sounds right up your Korranation Street.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday July 26 2020, @05:16PM
The Brits and the Yanks tend to follow the same trends. Trump, Brexit, they share all the same redneck bullshit. If not for Quebec, you would see the same in Canada, only there they are trying to recreate Alberta...
Too bad Australia isn't Irish, eh?