DELAYS, DELAYS, NOTHING BUT DELAYS: European Union governments have delayed voting on a proposed law that would define which technological innovations can be patented, after Poland said it was considering withdrawing its support.

The proposed law was endorsed by government leaders this month as an important legislative priority for the sluggish European economy to make it more competitive with the American economy. But an agreement reached in May by the European Union's 25 members now appears to be unwinding because of Poland's possible switch.