Nordic boost for innovation

The vigilant eye of Birgit Clark has spotted the news that the Nordic Patent Institute will be operative as an International Search Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA) from 1 January 2008. This Institute is a patent authority established by EU member Denmark, together with EEA colleagues Iceland and Norway. The Institute will

* act as PCT authority for residents of member countries;

* provide business services in the patent field and

* provide contract work in the patent field.

The IPKat notes the NPI's Mission Statement:

"The Nordic Patent Institute will supply international patenting and information services in close cooperation with the participating national patent offices in order to stimulate innovation in the contracting states".

Great, says the Kat, and we all wish the Institute luck - but he has looked, looked and looked again and he still can't see how the supply of the services in question stimulates innovation. Merpel agrees and adds: surely it's the other way round: innovation in the contracting states stimulates the supply of patenting services and information services.

More on stimulating innovation here