(26)  Scots law attracts inward investment

A major inward investment in Scotland by Cadence Design Systems, the Californian microchip supplier, was announced in December 1997. Amongst the various attractions of Scotland named by the company was the Scottish legal system, in particular its stability, the willingness and open-mindedness of the Scottish legal profession, the speed with which contracts can be finalised under Scots law, and the law of intellectual property. Also mentioned was the willingness of legislators to extend the law to facilitate intellectual property exchange. The major investment will be at Livingston (West Lothian), involving the creation of a design complex where standard exchange mechanisms for intellectual property blocks are created, transforming the way in which companies exchange information. The Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde will also be involved in providing training and research. The project as a whole is expected to create 1900 jobs.