9 January 2013Copyright

UK government appoints new IP minister

The Viscount Younger of Leckie has replaced Lord Marland as the minister in charge of IP at the UK government’s department for business, innovation and skills (BIS).

Downing Street revealed the news on January 9, the day after Marland resigned after only four months in the job. Younger’s full title is parliamentary under secretary of state for intellectual property.

In a statement, Younger said: “I am delighted to have been asked by the Prime Minister to do this important job. I look forward to making a real contribution to supporting business to generate new private sector employment and boost our international competiveness.”

He will be responsible for supporting innovation and developing the UK’s science and research industry. He will also work with the UK Intellectual Property Office, an agency within BIS that administers the IP system.

Marland stepped down on Tuesday, with a Downing Street spokesman saying he wanted to “focus on his role of promoting trade”. The former minister replaced Baroness Wilcox in September 2012.

Energy minister Greg Barker said on Twitter that he was very sorry to see Marland leave, and that he did a fantastic job.

Carl Rohsler, partner at Squire Sanders in London, said he was unaware of any major measures that Marland had implemented, adding that IP developments in the UK tend to be dictated more by European politics, rather than ministers in Britain.

“Just look at the Unitary Patent, Community Trademark and Madrid Protocol. IP is not an area where the UK government tends to have much influence,” he said.

Younger is the 7th IP minister in six years, a trend that is not “ideal in terms of consistency”, said Sian Croxon, partner at DLA Piper in London.

“It makes it tough for those in industry who are trying to keep government ministers informed about IP,” she said.

A Conservative Party member, Younger was chief whip from 2010 to 2012. He has experience in the financial and human resources industries.

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