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Inventor Thomas Edison who invented and marketed one of the first lightbulb designs for widespread use. Alamy Stock Photo

There's going to be ANOTHER referendum this year and it's on... patents

Anyone excited for the Unified Patent Court vote? Well, it’s taking place in June.

MEMBERS OF THE public will be casting their votes on three referendums in the coming months, it has been confirmed. 

While referendums on expanding the definition of family and women in the home will be held on 8 March, a third referendum will also be held on the same day as the European and local elections in June. 

While notably not the most exciting of topics, the third referendum will be held on international patents. 

In a nutshell, the referendum on Ireland joining the Unified Patent Court, if passed, means EU Member States can recognise each others’ patents. 

Government argues that it will harmonise the registration and recognition of patents throughout the EU with a single court to rule on disputes.

A total of 17 countries across the EU take part in the Unified Patent Court, which opened in June of last year.

Confirming that the proposed date to hold the referendum is June, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Neale Richmond said he attended the inauguration of the Court in Luxembourg last year, stating that he could see the benefits that the system would bring to Ireland.

“Put simply, this system will allow businesses to avail of a single patent that will take effect across 17 EU member states rather than purchasing a patent in each of these countries. The savings for businesses speak for themselves.

“If a company holds a patent for ten years, the average lifetime, it will cost it less than €4,700. If the company was to buy these patents in these individual countries, it would cost it over €30,000. This is an incredible opportunity for Irish businesses,” said the minister. 

In order to solve any disputes that may arise through the patent court, an amendment to Article 29 of the Constitution is needed through a referendum.

Richmond told the Seanad today that the issue is a “really important issue for Irish businesses, Irish inventors, Irish people, and so many people in Ireland and beyond who will benefit from all these new creations and inventions and the business and commerce that will flow”.

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney brought the proposal to Cabinet this morning to agree a date for the referendum alongside the local and European elections which are due to take place on the first weekend of June.

The Minister also sought approval for the priority drafting of a Bill to give effect to the proposed constitutional amendment.

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    Mute TheDublinGirly
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    Jun 18th 2017, 8:15 AM

    Beautiful story to wake up to of a smashing Sunday morning. Thank you Journal.

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    Mute Simon Baker
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:04 AM

    For anyone reading this story who who has or knows an amputee with a passion for football please get in touch with the irish amputee football federation via our website or find us on Facebook…. We have have a development day coming up Sat 1st July in the phoenix park just behind the zoo oon the GAA pitch … fun packed afternoon from 1pm – 4 pm so please come along …

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    Mute Eóin Ó Briain
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    Jun 18th 2017, 11:25 AM

    @Simon Baker: Fair play Simon,great credit goes to you and the other volunteers who give their time up for such an awesome cause

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    Mute Sheila Bedford
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:05 AM

    Such brave children good luck to you all

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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:00 AM

    Best of Luck yo all taking part.

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    Mute Mo Nishi
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:33 AM

    I welled up reading that. There’s nothing better than swing kids happy :)

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    Mute Mo Nishi
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:34 AM

    @Mo Nishi: #seeing :)

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    Mute Nucky
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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:49 AM

    Good luck to them. Real heroes

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    Jun 18th 2017, 10:37 AM

    COYBIG best of luck lads. Great story.

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    Jun 18th 2017, 9:58 AM

    Role models. Well done

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    Mute Paul Manley
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    Jun 18th 2017, 1:06 PM

    Well done lads and all involved take me back to the 60s there was a guy played with Dundalk called Jimmy Hasty had only one arm fantastic to watch brilliant!!

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    Mute Patrick Dandy
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    Jun 18th 2017, 10:00 AM

    Roles modes. Well done

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