Jo Johnson chosen as new UK IP minister
The UK government has chosen Jo Johnson, a member of parliament (MP) and the current innovation minister, as the new minister for intellectual property.
Johnson, MP for Orpington, Bromley, takes over from Baroness Neville-Rolfe.
The UK Intellectual Property Office confirmed the news on its Twitter page.
Johnson is the brother of Boris Johnson, the UK’s foreign secretary. Both are members of the Conservative party, led by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Jo Johnson will remain as minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation, a position he was appointed to in July 2016. He was elected as an MP in May 2010 and was re-elected in 2015.
Neville-Rolfe held the role of IP minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from July 2014 to December 2016.
President of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, Kate O’Rourke, said: “We are looking forward to working closely with Jo Johnson, and we would like to congratulate him on the new appointment.
“Collaboration when planning for challenges that lie ahead, including the UK’s exit from the European Union, will be vital.”
Simon Rees, president of FICPI-UK and partner at IP firm Haseltine Lake, said: "FICPI-UK is delighted to learn that Jo Johnson has been appointed as IP minister, particularly in view of Johnson’s existing role and experience as minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation. We are confident that he will continue with the outstanding work of his predecessor, Baroness Neville-Rolfe."
He added: "FICPI-UK looks forward to working more closely with Johnson on IP matters, and no doubt the next few years will be very busy as new laws and strategy need to be developed in light of Brexit."
Anna Carboni, partner at Redd Solcitors, told WIPR: “The role of the UK IP minister is more important now, as the UK prepares to leave the European Union, than it has ever been before. While it is disappointing that Baroness Neville-Rolfe is moving on, given her efforts to engage with the IP community, the timing means that Jo Johnson will be able to get a grip on the implications of Brexit for IP at an early stage in the exit process.
"The IP portfolio sits well with Johnson’s continuing responsibility for universities, science and innovation; and his own education and career experience in Europe and elsewhere overseas will help him to appreciate the international aspect of IP rights and interests."
She added: "We hope that Johnson will make every effort to ensure that the rights of IP owners and licensees, particularly where existing pan-EU rights are concerned, are fully taken into account when working out the terms of Britain’s exit."
Anna Carboni is a WIPR Leader for 2016. Her profile is available here.
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