Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92000E3469

**WRITTEN QUESTION P-3469/00 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission. Revision of Directive 98/44/EC.** 
  
*Official Journal 136 E , 08/05/2001 P. 0231 - 0231*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3469/00

by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

(30 October 2000)

Subject: Revision of Directive 98/44/EC

Given the German Government's call for the revision of Directive 98/44/EC(1) on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions and the fact that, to date, no more than three Member States of the European Union have transposed that Directive, does not the Commission deem it necessary to review the substance thereof?

(1) OJ L 213, 30.7.1998, p. 13.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(22 November 2000)

The Honourable Member refers to the German government's call for the revision of Directive 98/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. In the Commission's view, this is not the line taken by the German government, which has stressed the importance of certain areas covered by Directive 98/44/EC and expressed its wish for these areas to be given special attention when the Directive is transposed into German law, a process which is already under way.

The Directive was due to be transposed into the national law of each Member State by 30 July 2000. As the Honourable Member rightly points out, only three Member States have so far transposed the Directive into their own legislation. However, it should be noted that the vast majority of the Member States have already begun a legislative process with the aim of implementing the Directive into their national law. Some of them are about to finalise this process and are due to notify the Commission of their national implementing measure or implementing regulation in the near future.

The Commission naturally remains at the disposal of any Member State requiring assistance with the transposition process.

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