In December 2021, the Government launched a Call for Views on whether or not the current Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem promotes competition and encourages innovation. In its August 2022 Summary of Responses the Government said that there was little consensus on the nature, extent, causes, and impact of problems in the ecosystem. A subsequent questionnaire was launched in March 2023, to better understand the experiences of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), small-cap and mid-cap businesses. A Summary of Responses will be published in Summer 2023. Findings on the SEPs ecosystem will be presented to Ministers in late 2023.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4414", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Paul Scully"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sutton and Cheam"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Paul Scully"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2023-06-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "189764"} , {"_value" : "189765"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2023-06-22T09:52:01.063Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "216"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Science, Innovation and Technology"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2023-06-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Patents"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the outcome of the Intellectual Property Office\u2019s consultation entitled Standard Essential Patents and Innovation: Executive summary and next steps, updated on 5 August 2022, what plans he has to consult Parliament on the potential impact of such steps on the (a) wider UK intellectual property economy and (b) ability of small and medium-sized enterprises\u2019 to compete in the global marketplace.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1546", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Angus Brendan MacNeil"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Na h-Eileanan an Iar"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Angus Brendan MacNeil"} ], "uin" : "189766"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550116", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1550116/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) provides guidance and support on protection for patents in the UK and abroad through free digital resources; webinars and events, alongside assistance through the network of Patent Libraries and Business and IP Centres. The IPO also partners with Innovate UK Edge to provide intensive, specialist-led support to help innovative SMEs identify, manage and protect their IP at home and abroad, including through financial grants. This complements other available Innovate UK grant funding of up to £7,500 for patenting costs supporting both UK and international coverage.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The knowledge intensive definition for the Enterprise Investment Scheme already includes intellectual property which covers patents.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-12-21T13:22:48.917Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-12-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Patents"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government what support they provide SMEs seeking to obtain patent protection in (1) the UK, and (2) in other countries; whether they will extend the Enterprise Investment Scheme so that it includes support with patent costs; and whether they will amend the UK Innovate grant so that it supports international coverage for patents.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4562", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted"} ], "uin" : "HL4143"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1523913", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1523913/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government recently concluded a call for views on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) and published a summary of responses and next steps [accessible here<\/a>] on 5th<\/sup> August 2022. The call for views explored whether the ecosystem around SEPs functions effectively and strikes the right balance for all entities involved, including SMEs. Views were specifically sought on competition and market functioning.<\/p> Given the breadth of issues raised and divergent views received, the Government requires a further period to assess the issues in respect of SEPs. As part of this further assessment the Government will continue to engage businesses of all sizes.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4812", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dean Russell"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Watford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dean Russell"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-10-26", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-10-26T17:01:03.02Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Patents"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of Standard Essential Patents on SMEs ability to (a) enter and (b) compete in markets.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4124", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chi Onwurah"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newcastle upon Tyne Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chi Onwurah"}
], "uin" : "65765"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1437266", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1437266/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership sets clear and consistent rules in the intellectual property sector which will be of benefit to both UK businesses and consumers. It would be inappropriate to comment on the specific matters raised as negotiations on the terms of the UK\u2019s accession are ongoing.<\/p> <\/p> The UK possesses a world leading intellectual property regime, and it will not sign trade deals that compromise it. Our membership of the European Patent Convention (EPC) is an important part of that regime, by providing an efficient mechanism for innovative UK businesses to protect their inventions across 38 states. The UK takes its international obligations seriously and our accession negotiations will be consistent with our national interest and wider Government priorities, which include our continued alignment with the European Patent Convention and other international IP treaties.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4336", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Callanan"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Callanan"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-15T16:41:09.593Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-03-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Patents"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that UK patents granted via the European Patent Office are subject to the same conditions, and confer the same rights, as national patents granted via the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO); and what assessment they have made as to whether the IPO could grant a separate but equivalent right which provides the same benefits as a national UK patent but provides a grace period which is fully compatible with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific (CPTPP).", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4905", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hannan of Kingsclere"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hannan of Kingsclere"}
], "uin" : "HL6527"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1271436", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1271436/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Government will not be participating in the Unified Patent Court (UPC), nor establishing a seat in London, due to the UPC\u2019s links with the EU Court of Justice. Consequently, on 20 July 2020, the UK withdrew its ratification of the UPC Agreement. Withdrawing ratification clarifies the UK\u2019s status in the Agreement and will help facilitate its orderly entry into force for other States, if they so choose. The locations of the central division of the UPC is a matter for the remaining participating states to decide.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4372", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Amanda Solloway"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Derby North"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Amanda Solloway"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-01-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-01-11T14:37:46.43Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2020-12-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Patents"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his policy on the EU Withdrawal Agreement is that it obliges the establishment of a central patent court seat in London under the Unified Patent Court Agreement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4591", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Olney"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Richmond Park"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sarah Olney"}
], "uin" : "130178"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140610", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1140610/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " As set out in the technical notice, the Government\u2019s primary goal is to ensure that the UK patent system continues to function effectively in the event of a no deal exit. This requires a small amount of legislative change. In February 2019, Parliament approved the Patents (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019<\/a>, which corrected deficiencies in retained EU law relating to patents. The Government has since published guidance for business<\/a> on these changes. It continues to engage with stakeholders on the impacts of exit and preparation for a no deal scenario.<\/p> <\/p>