Consultation on Standard Essential Patents

This consultation seeks views on measures to improve the functioning of the Standard Essential Patents licensing ecosystem

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a consultation on potential measures to address challenges in the UK’s Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem. 

Since 2021, the IPO has gathered evidence to better understand whether the current SEPs ecosystem effectively promotes innovation and competition in the UK market. 

This evidence indicates that there are some issues that may impact on the efficient functioning of the SEP ecosystem, including the lack of transparency around SEP pricing, asymmetric information concerning SEP licensing, the essentiality of patents in technical standards, and a growing and complex litigious environment. 

Proposed measures 

This consultation focuses on how to address these issues in the SEPs ecosystem by seeking views on a range of measures designed to help create a balanced ecosystem for all parties involved. 

Proposed measures include: 

• Specialist rate determination track: Introducing a specialist track to provide licence rates for SEP portfolios on a case-by-case basis. This could increase consistency and transparency in SEP pricing. It could give businesses of all sizes a more efficient and cost–effective route to obtain a SEP licence rate.
• Mandatory provision of searchable information: Requiring patent holders to disclose standard-related patent information to the IPO. This would help address the current lack of transparency around SEPs and licensing obligations. 

Find out more and access the Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) online survey. 

First published 17 July 2025