The meaning of ‘associated rights’

5.11.2012

Question for written answer E-009977-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Amelia Andersdotter (Verts/ALE)

In the comments to Article 17(2) provided in the text of explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union[1], the Praesidium of the European Convention, an institution set up at that time by the European Council, stated that intellectual property ‘covers not only literary and artistic property but also patent and trademark rights and associated rights’. I have asked the Council what it might mean by ‘associated rights’, but it is reluctant to provide an interpretation since the Council has changed leadership many times since and a new European Convention (with Praesidium) has since been reformed and closed down.

Can the Commission bring clarity as to what the Praesidium of the Convention meant by ‘associated rights’?

• [1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/04473_en.pdf

OJ C 320 E, 06/11/2013