In a letter addressed to business secretary Greg Clark, the UK has been urged to join the European Union’s (EU) patent union ahead of Brexit – which would effectively allow companies wishing to secure cross-border patents to apply in just one EU country as opposed to all 28 member states.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and its European counterpart Eurochambres have said that the system would go a long way to reduce red-tape for innovative companies, and would prove helpful to Britain’s businesses and entrepreneurs regardless of the UK’s future relationship with the bloc.
The letter raises concerns that a unified European patent system is “long overdue” and that the reform must be “delivered without any further delay.”
Prior to the EU Referendum, Britain had continually pushed hard for the introduction of the system over the years.
The letter, penned by Eurochambres and the BCC, reads: “Whether the UK is an EU member state or not and regardless of the terms agreed for future EU-UK relations, British businesses and the British economy can enjoy the benefits of a new, unified patent system.
“It is thus in the UK Government’s interests to be involved and engaged in the discussions and developments of this important new initiative.”
Commenting, BCC director Adam Marshall, added: “Ratifying the Unified Patent Court Agreement is a no-brainer, as it would allow UK firms to protect their intellectual property in over two dozen countries with a single application, and reduce practical barriers to trade and export.”