Technology and automotive companies, including apple, BMW, Microsoft and Samsung, have urged the European Commission to take action to prevent the European Court from issuing an automatic injunction in favor of the so-called "Patent Troll.".
In a letter to the new head of internal markets, Thierry Breton, the companies said imbalances in the European legal system were weakening innovation.
"The automatic ban makes Europe more and more attractive to patent entities (PAEs), also known as' patent trolls'," the letter said. As the litigation environment in the United States became less friendly to these patent claiming entities, they turned to Europe. "These patents claim that the entity does not manufacture, sell or invent anything - they only take advantage of the purchased patents. The EU needs to ensure that its existing measures are effectively implemented to prevent patent claiming entities from exploiting the imbalances in the European patent system. "
The companies that signed the letter also included Adidas, Microsoft, Volkswagen and T-Mobile. The companies also urged the European Commission to issue new guidelines on when the court would issue a patent ban.
The guidelines should consider "whether the ban creates leverage for patent owners that is disproportionate to the value of the patented technology," the letter said.
The letter was signed by 35 companies and trade bodies including ip2innovate and the computer and communications industry association.
A month ago, the technology and automotive industry also urged the European Commission to ensure that standard element patents are licensed under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions.
