Dear Sirs,

I am writing this e-mail to let you something of your interest.
ICT standardisation is facing an increased impact from the inclusion of "patented" technologies in ICT standards and specifications which raises a number of questions to be addressed. For ICT standardisation to continue its role as a major instrument to support competitiveness, to increase interoperability and to respond to industry expectations and societal needs, an adequate balance has to be found between the need for standardised approaches and the interests of IPR owners. Standards developing organisations should be able to implement effective IPR policies while respecting the requirements of competition law.

The European Commission is therefore organising a one-day workshop on intellectual property rights and ICT standards on 19 November in Brussels.

Registrations are open from today. You can find more information at:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/ict/policy/standards/ws08ipr_en.htm

Please note that due to logistic contraints the number of participants is limitted.

If you have any doubt, do not hesitate to contact me.

Luis C. Busquets Pérez
Unidad D.4 Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicaciones para competitividad e Innovación
DG Empresa
Comisión Europea
Av. d'Auderghem, 45
1040 Bruxelles
T. +322 29 66246
F. +322 29 67019