Consultation on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs)
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
Since 2021, the government has gathered evidence to understand whether the Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) ecosystem effectively supports innovation, competition and efficient licensing in the UK. In response, the government began introducing a range of non-regulatory measures in 2023. Evidence also identified systemic issues in the SEPs ecosystem around transparency and information asymmetry, suggesting that targeted intervention in some areas of the SEP frameworks may be appropriate.
The government therefore consulted between 15 July 2025 and 7 October 2025 on a potential package of measures. The consultation aimed at improving the functioning of the SEPs ecosystem, particularly in relation to transparency, licensing and dispute resolution.
Having carefully considered the evidence provided by respondents, the government has decided to introduce measures which aim to:
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provide earlier and more efficient routes to improve negotiations and resolution of SEP disputes
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enhance transparency of SEP-related information and reduce information asymmetry
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encourage more effective pre-litigation information exchange and enhance best practice information to improve negotiation outcomes
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improve information around essentiality assessments and market solutions
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support the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and other existing non-regulatory measures
This government response to consultation summarises the evidence received, explains the government’s conclusions, and sets out the next steps for implementation.
The government is grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to this consultation and submit relevant evidence.
Original consultation
Consultation description
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.
Government is consulting 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.
There will also be opportunities to provide views on the consultation through wider government engagement activity during the consultation period.
Documents
Updates to this page
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Government response to the consultation on Standard Essential Patents published.
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First published.