Intellectual Property Office: CPTPP - UK terms of accession agreed

Today the Department for Business and Trade announced that the UK has agreed the terms of our accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).  

I am pleased to inform you that we have succeeded in negotiating an outcome that is consistent with the UK’s interests and Government’s policies and priorities on IP. Membership will provide the UK with a new and powerful means to champion our values and priorities with CPTPP countries on intellectual property. 

The UK has negotiated an exception to the patent grace period provision which ensures ongoing alignment with the (non-EU) European Patent Convention (EPC). This exception shall apply until such time that the EPC and Strasbourg Patent Convention have been amended to introduce a grace period that is consistent with CPTPP. The UK has committed to promote international harmonisation efforts to achieve this outcome.  

I am grateful for support and engagement from our IP stakeholders in achieving a positive outcome on these important issues.    

More information on the details of the UK’s accession to CPTPP can be found via this link: CPTPP agreement