Publications

On a continent that has come to be so dominated politically by the EU, it is easy to forget that there are almost as many countries beyond its borders as there are within. Yet in these oft-overlooked nations, some of the most profound and meaningful reform in Europe is occurring.

Following the success of The State of the Union , the Stockholm Network presents the second half of its pan-European study of the progress of reform. Beyond the Borders examines the progress of reform in the eighteen European countries that currently lie outside the borders of the European Union.

While some markets in Europe remain resistant to liberalisation – health and postal services to name just two – the energy market has not been one of them. Until recently, UK consumers at least have been reaping the benefits of competition and choice, including some of the lowest domestic energy prices in Europe. Now, however, the prospects for the future appear dimmer. Unless public policy changes to accommodate the new energy environment, including Russia’s more aggressive stance and the recent rise in wholesale gas and electricity prices in the UK, our economy and even the independence of our foreign policy could be at risk.

In this issue of Know IP the following topics are addressed:
1) The 6th December 2005 WTO TRIPS Decision
2) UK Patent Office Patent Mediation Services
3) SME Support Initiatives
4) Upcoming PFF Seminar

In this issue of Know IP the following issues are addressed:
1) Competition Rules and the Microsoft Case
2) Technology Transfer in Europe
3) The EU Copyright Directive
4) Innovations, Patent Extensions and Combination Products

The purpose of the paper is to consider the implications for public policy within Europe of a continued lack of attention to the impact of high and rising levels of cholesterol between now and 2020. Rather than dealing with the purely medical impact, it will concentrate on an area of universal public policy concern, namely, the impact on Europe's welfare systems and the knock-on effect on national budgets and economic growth.

In this issue of Know IP the authors address the following topics:
1) A Roadmap to European IP Policy-Making
2) The Chronicles of the European Commission and Microsoft
3) IPRs, Trade and Experimental Economics
4) WIPO and SMEs
5) DIME Intellectual Property Seminar

'For those of us who have consistently advocated a flat tax for Britain long before it became fashionable, it is gratifying to witness the explosion of interest in the idea over the past few months.' Allister Heath thus explores the possibility of a British flat tax, discovering it to be both a viable, and desirable, model for the UK.

In this issue of Know IP the following topics are addressed:
1) TRIPS vs. Bayh-Dole
2) Compulsory Licensing under Competition Law
3) Additional Patent Disclosure Requirements for Biotech Inventions

The first book to be published by the Stockholm Network Intellectual Property and Competition programme, Expanding the Frontiers draws on the expertise of eighteen distinguished scholars, policymakers and practitioners. It aims to familiarise readers with the diversity of themes and debates currently taking place in the field of IP.

The publication is divided into four sections:
• The Role of Intellectual Property in the Business Arena
• Intellectual Property Dilemmas
• Global Issues
• The European Perspective

The Stockholm Network announces the redesign and overhaul of their website. The refurbished version is expected to provide more accessible information to its members and supporters, improve outreach to the general public, and bring the SN into the position as the leading pan-European think tank and market-oriented network.
Also in this issue is the announcement of Intellectual Property Frontiers - Expanding the Borders of Discussion, the first book published by the Stockholm Network Intellectual Property and Competition Programme.