EC-USA scientific and technological cooperation agreement
The Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the USA, signed in December 1997, was recently concluded on behalf of the EC, and the Agreement has been published in the Official Journal, prior to its entry into force for the start of the Fifth Framework Programme. The Agreement establishes a formal base for cooperation in scientific and technical research to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities in fields of common interest. A list of areas of cooperative activities, which may be modified, is provided for in the Agreement and covers areas such as: - Environment (including climate research); - Biomedicine and health; - Fisheries science; - Information and communication technologies; - Materials sciences and metrology. The forms of cooperative activities to be carried out are also defined in the Agreement and include joint task forces, training of scientists, the exchange or sharing of equipment and materials, as well as visits and exchanges of scientists and engineers. A Joint Consultative Group (JCG) will be established to oversee the implementation of the provisions and review the efficient and effective functioning of the Agreement. It will consist of a equal number of representatives from each party and will provide an annual report on activities undertaken. The allocation and protection of intellectual property rights are dealt with in the Annex to the Agreement. The Parties are charged with ensuring adequate and effective protection of intellectual property created under the Agreement.
Countries
United States