Minister signals support for changes to IP laws

The Government has accepted a number of proposed changes to intellectual property law which had been put forward by the Law Commission.

The commission had previously been asked by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Intellectual Property Office to review the legislation governing unjustified (groundless) threats.

Back in October, the organisation published 20 recommendations and every one of them has been accepted by ministers.

Baroness Neville Rolfe, the Intellectual Property Minister, is now keen to see the changes introduced in Parliament.

The Conservative Peer thanked the Law Commission for their work and said she hoped that the changes would deliver a more consistent legal framework for businesses.

“The reforms will help the Government deliver its manifesto commitment to make the UK the best place in Europe to innovate, patent new ideas and set up and expand a business,” she said.

A draft bill is likely to be introduced in April/May of this year.

For advice on intellectual property matters, please contact Stephen Welfare.