Direct Protection of Innovation : Springer : 9789401712675 : 9401712670 : 03 Oct 2013 : 1 When in the late seventies the Commission started its preparatory work on a plan of action(l) for the creation of a real Community Innovation market, obviously the question came up, how patents or industrial property could specifically help in stimulating technological and industrial innovation and technology transfer in the Community. From an earlier contractor's study(2) about possible items of action in patent law for the improvement of the impact of patents and patenting upon innovation, it was clear that, in principle, there was room for improvement but shortage of information as to how and to what extent efficient improvements should and could be made. 2 In the early 1980s then, the need for clarifying the potential for improve­ ment in patent law and patent practice became more pressing, so that the Commission convened an informal meeting of experts on 3/4 November 1982 in Luxembourg, in or