Written question asked by Laurence Robertson (Conservative) on Monday, 1 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what plans she has to introduce software patents; and if she will make a statement. - (Holding answer 4 December 2003).

Answer: Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce software patents; and if she will make a statement. [141954] Ms Hewitt :[holding answer 4 December 2003]: Patents have been granted for some forms of software in the UK and elsewhere for many years. My Department has continued to support proposals to clarify the law on the patentability of software-related inventions across Europe. We will continue to work towards that objective, but we have no plans to extend patent protection to cover all software.

Secondary information