Lisbon Treaty now in effect

After 8 years in the making, December 1st 2009 marked the date when the Lisbon Treaty (finally) came into force and with it the attempt to streamline the EU institutions and strengthen democracy within the Union. Some of the most important changes are:
• A politician chosen to be president of the European Council for two-and-a-half years, replacing the current system where countries take turns at being president for six months.
• A smaller European Commission, with fewer commissioners than there are member states, from 2014.
• A redistribution of voting weights between the member states, phased in between 2014 and 2017 - qualified majority voting based on a "double majority" of 55% of member states, accounting for 65% of the EU's population.
• New powers for the European Commission, European Parliament and European Court of Justice, for example in the field of justice and home affairs.
• Removal of national vetoes in a number of areas, including fighting climate change, energy security and emergency aid. Unanimity will still be required in the areas of tax, foreign policy, defense and social security.
While critics say that the Lisbon Treaty threatens national sovereignty the overall response has been positive and deemed a necessary step in the unification of Europe.
For more information on the Lisbon Treaty check out the Treaty web site on Europa.eu

Law on the Protection of Intellectual Property comes into force

On September 1, 2008 the law implementing the EU Enforcement Directive to protect intellectual property will come into force. This Act facilitates the fight against piracy and strengthen intellectual property rights.

The law puts the Directive 2004/48/EC with an amendment of several laws for the protection of intellectual property in action. These acts are, the Patent law, Utility model law, Trademark law, Semiconductor Protection Act, the Copyright Act, Designs Act, and the Plant Variety Protection Act.

Apart from these, especially for companies, important modifications, the law provides a significant improvement for consumers. Currently consumers who violate copyright laws can expect hefty fines, even if they have no business interest. This will be impossible in the future. Those consumers who can prove that they did not have any such interest will have to pay a maximum fine of Euro 100.-.

European National Libraries

All European National Libraries can easily be searched from one central website. The search might take a little longer but it's worth, as it safes time at the end.

On the 1st of July France took the EU- Presidency from Slovenia and created a web site to inform the public about their intentions and keep them informed during the next couple of month . The page is available in French, English, Spanish, Italian, and German, on can subscribe to an RSS feed or get the latest news to your PDA.