Reforming intellectual property law – Government consultation

The Intellectual Property Office has opened a consultation to assess whether there would be sufficient stakeholder support to introduce our Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill into Parliament using the special procedure reserved for uncontroversial Law Commission Bills.

The consultation, which opened on 22 October, asks whether stakeholders:

• agree that law reform in this area is required
• support our general approach to reform, and
• think that the Intellectual Property (Unjustified Threats) Bill is suitable for the special procedure.

In her introduction to the consultation, Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister for Intellectual Property says:

“I would like to thank the Law Commission for producing two high quality reports into the complex area of unjustified threats of infringement of patent, trade mark and design rights.

“These proposals will clarify the law, making life easier for businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Stephen Lewis, Law Commissioner for commercial and common law, said:

“We are pleased that the Intellectual Property Office has launched this short consultation. We understand that the Government remains keen that our recommended reforms in this area should be implemented, and intends to bring forward primary legislation in due course.”

The consultation closes on 13 November 2015.