Protecting your intellectual property with a Standard Essential Patent

When your business develops new technical innovations within a specific industry, it’s vitally important for you to protect the resulting intellectual property (IP).

A straightforward way to do this is using a Standard Essential Patent (SEP) that helps you register your IP, while adding to the technical standards framework within your sector.

What’s a Standard Essential Patent (SEP)?

In the UK, a SEP is a patent that protects an invention that's essential to the implementation of a particular technology standard. Without this protection, your IP could be copied and you might miss out on the potential income and revenue streams that a SEP could offer.

SEPs are important because they:

→ Reward inventors

With a SEP, as the inventor, you’re fairly rewarded for contributing to the development of global open standards within your industry.

→ Ensure fair returns

SEPs ensure that you get a fair return on your investment in this IP, as the inventor of a specific cutting-edge technology.

→ Facilitate widespread use

SEPs help promote the widespread use of standards within your industry and technical niche, aiding the consistent use of these standards.

→ Encourage innovation

SEPs provide the greatest possible benefits to inventors, innovators and those pushing the envelope in your industry.

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The last thing you want is for your technical IP to be ripped off. By exploring the benefits of SEPs, you can:

• Protect your IP as an inventor/business.
• Stop unlicensed use of your invention.
• Contribute to standards in your sectors.
• Bring additional income streams into the business.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has launched a new online Resource Hub to help UK businesses navigate the SEP landscape. You can access the SEPs Resource Hub here.