Science minister Sam Gyimah has insisted it is possible for the UK to remain part of the forthcoming unitary patent system after Brexit, despite this only being open to European Union member states.
Speaking to the House of Lords EU Justice Sub-Committee on 13 November, Gyimah said, “Our legal view is that it should be possible for the UK to remain in the system after leaving the EU.”
Many businesses want the UK to participate in the unitary patent system as it offers intellectual property protection in up to 26 EU member states by submitting one application. Participation is currently limited to EU member states, with Spain and Croatia declining to participate. It is being administered by the intergovernmental European Patent Organisation and is scheduled to launch in early 2019.
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