The European Commission on Wednesday proposed unitary patent protection that would be valid in 25 European Union member states.

"The purpose of unitary patent protection is to make innovation cheaper and easier for businesses and inventors everywhere in Europe," said EU Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier.

The new system would allow any company or individual to protect their inventions through a single patent. Once the patent was granted, there would be no need to validate it in each country.

The pan-European patent, however, would only apply to 25 EU countries since Italy and Spain decided to opt out.

It was estimated that the proposal would reduce the cost of patents in Europe by up to 80 percent.

The proposal has to be approved by the European Parliament and EU member states to become law.

(Source: Xinhua)