English wants referendum to join EU patent system

Damien English, Minister of State Picture: Feargal Ward

Minister of State Damien English has said he wants a patent referendum to be held in the autumn to help inventors.

The government is preparing for the gay marriage referendum in May, but has also approved the holding of a referendum to improve the process of patenting new ideas. English said that inventors were currently required to patent and defend their ideas separately across Europe, but would soon be able to go to ...