On 14 December 2010, on the basis of requests from 12 Member States, the Commission, under Commissioner Barnier's authority, submitted a proposal to authorise enhanced cooperation in the area of the creation of unitary patent protection.
14. detsembril 2010 esitas komisjon 12 liikmesriigi taotluste alusel ning volinik Barnier loal ettepaneku anda volitused koostöö tõhustamiseks ühtse patendikaitse loomise valdkonnas.