UK IP Bill completes passage through Commons

The UK’s Intellectual Property Bill has completed its passage through the House of Commons following its third and final reading today, March 12.

The bill, which stems from recommendations outlined in the Hargreaves Review of Intellectual Property and Growth, an independent review of the UK’s IP strategy, aims to modernise and improve the country’s entire IP system.

Throughout all three readings the most controversial topic was Clause 13, which sanctions a maximum 10-year jail term for the illegal copying of a design.

An amendment to include the word “intentionally” into the clause succeeded but Members of Parliament were unwilling to include a further amendment protecting unregistered designs as well as registered.

Also discussed today was the possibility of incorporating a clause giving Edinburgh, in Scotland, the opportunity to have a local division within the Unified Patent Court when, and if, it is implemented.

However, David Willetts, the government minister leading the bill through parliament, said it was not an issue that needed to be legislated and would be based on demand.

Towards the end of the debate, Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, who is also an IP advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron, said there was a need to “further educate” the public on IP, citing the poor turnout by politicians as an example.

Weatherley said efforts should be made to step up education and that the UK Intellectual Property Office should take the lead on the issue.

Following today’s reading, the bill will return to the House of Lords, the upper house of the UK parliament, where the House of Commons’ changes will be considered.

Finally, it will need to be granted royal approval before becoming law, but this is seen as a formality.