EU Challenges China at WTO on Patent Dispute Court Restrictions

European Union files case against China at the World Trade Organization for restricting EU companies from going to a foreign court to protect and use their patents, according to statement.

• China severely restricts EU companies with rights to key technologies from protecting these rights when their patents are used illegally or without appropriate compensation by, for example, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers
• Patent holders that do go to court outside China, often face significant fines in China, putting them under pressure to settle for licensing fees below market rates
• The dispute settlement consultations that the EU has requested are the ...