UK Rejects FRAND Rate-Setting Track, Opts for Targeted SEP Measures
On 13 October 2026, the UK government published its response to the 2025 consultation on standard essential patents (SEPs). According to the Intellectual Property Office, it will not introduce a standalone Rate Determination Track in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, nor an IPO-run essentiality checking service, at this stage.
The government will instead work with the judiciary on a court-anchored early FRAND determination process, develop FRAND licensing guidelines, and run a call for evidence on a voluntary, non-binding IPO FRAND opinion service. It also plans a voluntary route for rightsholders to provide standard-related patent information at the IPO, plus guidance on pre-litigation conduct. The government said the evidence did not justify limiting injunctions in SEP disputes.
ip fray describes the approach as a preference for targeted improvements over broader regulation. Companies licensing 4G/5G, Wi-Fi or video codecs into the UK should watch the upcoming call for evidence.
Sources
Do you or your clients need trademark, patent, annuity or industrial design work in Indonesia? We handle filings, prosecution and renewals, with updates in English. Email us for a quote.
Contact UsIf you enjoyed this article on our portal, you can buy me a coffee via the PayPal link below.
PayPal
