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<title>CANADA SEEKS CONSULTATIONSON EUROPEAN UNION PATENT MEASURES</title>
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<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 3, 1998 <em>(12:30 p.m. EST)</em> No. 282</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA SEEKS CONSULTATIONS</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">ON EUROPEAN UNION PATENT MEASURES</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi announced today that Canada has requested World Trade
Organization (WTO) consultations on European Union (EU) patent measures on pharmaceutical and agricultural
chemical products. Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The measures at issue relate to the EU supplementary protection certificate (SPC), which extends patent
protection beyond the minimum 20 years as required in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS). Canada argues that the SPC is discriminatory and contrary to the EU's WTO
obligations, since it applies only to pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical products. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada has no objection to other countries offering greater patent protection than the minimum required by the
TRIPS Agreement," said Mr. Marchi. "However, the discriminatory nature of the EU regime contravenes its
WTO obligations." </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">The international trade system allows a balance between the interests of innovator companies in having a
healthy and profitable investment climate and the global objective of ensuring that low-cost medicines are
available as soon as possible after patent expiry.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca </font></p>
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