The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-operate in their work on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs).
SEPs are patents that have been declared essential to a given technical standard. As part of the standards-setting process, patent owners may agree to license SEPs on fair, reasonable, and non discriminatory (FRAND) terms.
This MoU will allow both offices to work together on certain matters related to SEPs, including for example conducting outreach activity to raise awareness of SEPs issues.
The agreement was signed by IPO Chief executive Adam Williams and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director Kathi Vidal.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years from the date of signing.