1. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London The European Econonic Interest Grouping (EEIG) A possible track for ViSiCAST mid-term joint exploitation

2. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London IST ViSiCAST Consortium New ViSiCAST structure Pool of IPR UKPORNIDIvDUEAUHINTITCIRTTV Start up creation Product development R&D contracts New R&D developments Ancillary Flexible Ability to host private & public entities Transnational European Econonic Interest Grouping

3. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London What is an EEIG ? europa.eu.int/comm/dg23/bus_cooperation/geie/eeig.htm q The only transnational legal economic structure at European level q Easy to create, implement and use q Provides a flexible framework for transnational cooperation q Well-established framework: ~ 1000 EEIGs set up since July 1989 (e.g. Airbus Industries)

4. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Transnationality A Community vocation q Legal neutrality: an EEIG is ruled by Community law, hence a uniform legal framework ê EEIG members are on an equal footing ê avoids complications caused by the coexistence of different juridic orders q An EEIG is formed by at least two partners from two different Member States of the EU

5. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Elligibility A genuine instrument of synergy No restriction on economic sector nor activity q EEIG members: 3 companies / firms of any size 3 legal bodies governed by public / private law provided that at least one of their activities can be considered to be of an economic nature, even minimal or indirect ê Possible highly complementary packages q EEIG activity linked up with that of its members

6. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Flexibility Freedom and adaptability (1) q Very simple creation procedure: 3 a written contract (does not have to be signed before a notary) 3 registration at the appropriate registry of the State in which the EEIG has its official address (which is cheap) 3 Set up for limited or unlimited periods

7. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Flexibility Freedom and adaptability (2) q Considerable freedom to define financing and operating methods : 3 No start-up capital required 3 All forms of financial contributions possible: in cash, in kind or in skill. 3 The EEIG address can be transferred from one Member State to another with no charge 3 EEIG members have a wide autonomy as to organise it as they please

8. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Stability Legal capacity and reliability q The EEIG is a legal and independent entity with full legal capacity ê The EEIG as such is entitled to undertake activity on behalf of a third party ê An EEIG is eligible to take part in EC programmes or public contracts ê Third parties entering into business relations with an EEIG are fully protected (unlimited joint and several liability of members)

9. ViSiCAST- 5 th General Consortium Meeting 11-12 January 2001 - RNID, London Ancillary nature The autonomy of members q EEIG purpose: to develop its members’ activities and performances in the designated activity. Does not aim at showing profit as a company. q The activity of an EEIG is ancillary: it must be related to the economic activities of its members and must not replace them ê EEIG members retain a certain degree of legal and economic autonomy