( CNN ) -- British innovator James Dyson , who has built a multi-billion dollar empire around his distinctive vacuum cleaners , has described patent laws across Europe as `` absolute madness '' , saying they are unhelpful for inventors and small businesses . Dyson told CNN he wants the patent system in Europe radically overhauled . Over the last four decades , Dyson said , he has been affected enormously by people copying his ideas . Government leaders are continuously telling businesses that innovation drives the economy . But Dyson points to the red tape surrounding the patenting process as being a massive hurdle for businesses wanting to develop ideas . `` The problem with inventing : as soon as you file a patent they see what you are doing and they can see ways to get around it , '' said Dyson , who made his fortune inventing a bagless vacuum . The 64-year-old is an outspoken critic of Chinese counterfeiters , calling on governments to do more to protect intellectual property rights . Problems can arise because of the wording of the patents , Dyson said . `` There are no diagrams or drawings and often something hinges on the particular phrasing of the patent . '' According to Dyson , if it is obvious someone has copied another person 's ideas they should be dealt with without the parties going through a protracted legal battle . `` There should n't be this endless rigmarole of 'could this have been devised by one skilled in the art ? ' '' Because the current system involves many expenses due to varying jurisdictions throughout the continent , a Europe-wide patent is the answer , according to Dyson . `` You have to file in each country , you have to translate in each country , sue in each country , renews in each country -- it 's seen as a profit center for each country . '' Issues surrounding plagiarism are not limited to businesses , with consumers also feeling the impact of the high cost of producing and securing new inventions , Dyson said . Energy-saving and cost effective products and technology wo n't be created because of the enormous upfront investment it takes to develop them , he said `` It 's anticompetitive to make copying easy . '' CNN 's Emily Smith contributed to this story .
British innovator James Dyson has described patent laws across Europe as `` absolute madness '' Dyson says the current system involves many expenses due to varying jurisdictions throughout the continent . The European Commission is currently considering a proposal that would allow companies in the EU to obtain patents for inventions made outside of Europe.