Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if his attention has been drawn to a study published on 1 October 2013 by the European Patents Office and the Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market that 35% of all European economic activity arises from intellectual property rights; if he will provide a comparable percentage figure for Ireland; the steps he is taking to ensure that the Government protects the intellectual property rights of companies trading in the Irish market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43056/13]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The recently published study referred to by the Deputy carried out jointly by the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM) and the European Patent Office is the first ever EU-wide study of the impact of Intellectual Property Rights on the European economy in terms of GDP, employment, wages and trade. The study focussed on data collected from twenty-seven EU Member States and covers the two-year period 2008 to 2010.

The study found that about 40% of total economic activity in the EU amounting to some €4.7 trillion annually is generated by industries that are referred to as being IPR-intensive in the sense that they are significant users of Intellectual Property rights to support their economic activity. Furthermore, it was found that approximately 35% of all employment in the EU (77 million jobs) stems from industries that have a higher than average use of Intellectual Property rights.

While my officials have not had the opportunity to consider the study in detail, it is seen as providing important data that will underpin and inform evidence-based policy making in the area of Intellectual Property. It appears also to establish a clear link between the use of Intellectual Property rights and stimulating innovation and creativity leading ultimately to job creation.

Ireland’s rating in the study is very favourable. Ireland rates first in terms of GDP share in all IPR-intensive industries in the EU, first for GDP share of copyright-intensive industries and, first for GDP share of trade mark-intensive industries. Ireland performs well also in relation to other rankings, positioned third in the EU for GDP share of patent-intensive industries and above average employment share in copyright-intensive industries. Ireland has the highest percentage of IP-intensive employment from industries based outside the European Union. This can be attributed to the level of high quality foreign direct investment that we have successfully attracted to locate here.

This Government has focussed on ensuring Ireland’s Intellectual Property regime compares favourably with best international practice. The Action Plan for Jobs has targeted enhancements in Ireland’s IP regime as intrinsic to establishing high-quality employment in Ireland. New protocols for managing IP from collaborative research in research institutions and promoting Ireland as an IP jurisdiction in the context of financial services all play their part.

During the Irish EU Presidency, an agreement to establish a Unified Patent Court was signed in February 2013 which, when established alongside the EU unitary patent system, will help to streamline patenting in Europe making it more affordable to secure and enforce patent rights in Europe. This is particularly important for small and medium sized enterprises.

A report by the Copyright Review Committee set up in 2011 to examine the existing Copyright regime and to specifically examine whether it presents any barriers to innovation is expected to be published shortly. I will be reviewing this with interest to consider and examine if modifications to the copyright regime are required.