SPCs: the simplest issue is in doubt

There has been a considerable amount of activity in the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) recently on the subject of supplementary protection certificates (SPCs). A number of rulings have come down, and others have been referred to the court. Some of these have concerned what ought to be regarded as one of the most simple elements of the legislation: what is meant by a ‘product’, as defined, for the purpose of being capable of protection by an SPC?