Post harmonisation Europe - united, divided or unimportant?

In the aftermath of World War II, the concept of a United States of Europe was born. As can be seen from articles 36 and 85 of the Treaty of Rome 1957,1 the question of treatment of intellectual property ("IP") rights and how IP should play a part in the brave new harmonised world has been an issue since those early days. Scientific and technological developments and increasing commercial recognition of the value of IP meant that the treatment of IP became of widespread importance, extending beyond the confines of legal principles and impacting upon the ability of nationals and businesses of Member States to take an important role in the modern business world. To what extent, however, has such harmonisation been achieved? Further, how appropriate is the focus on a United States of Europe given the increasingly global nature of commerce and business?