WASHINGTON (October 14, 2026) — The Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) welcomes the United Kingdom government’s decision to reject several proposed regulatory interventions in the standard-essential patent (SEP) licensing system, including restrictions on injunctive relief, a new rate-determination track, and mandatory patent disclosures.
In its response to the SEP consultation, the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) recognized that the evidence does not justify restricting the availability of injunctions. In particular, the government found that implementers’ allegations concerning the threat of injunctions were largely anecdotal and that actual injunctions disrupting access to the UK market were rare.
“The UK government deserves credit for following the evidence rather than accepting unsupported claims that the SEP licensing system is broken,” said Coke Morgan Stewart, president and CEO of C4IP. “The consultation confirms that there is no demonstrated systemic problem with injunctions that warrants legislative intervention. Preserving meaningful patent enforcement rights is essential to encouraging investment in the breakthrough technologies that make global standards possible.”
C4IP also applauds the government’s decision not to establish a separate rate-determination track, impose mandatory patent disclosures, or create a government-run essentiality checking service. These decisions recognize the importance of avoiding unnecessary regulatory burdens on an innovation ecosystem that has successfully delivered interoperable technologies to consumers worldwide.
C4IP remains concerned, however, about proposals to expand the role of courts in early FRAND determinations and explore a government-led FRAND opinion service. Such measures risk shifting licensing decisions away from voluntary, market-driven negotiations and further encouraging international competition among courts to determine global licensing terms.
C4IP looks forward to continued engagement with the UKIPO and other stakeholders to ensure that future measures protect patent rights, encourage good-faith negotiations, and preserve the market-driven licensing system that has made global technological standards a success.
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.
UK Government Consultation Response:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-standard-essential-patents-seps/outcome/government-response-to-the-consultation-on-standard-essential-patents