Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what opportunities he has identified to improve intellectual property protection in international markets as the UK negotiates new trading relationships.

Trade in intellectual property (IP) is an important part of the UK’s economy. The UK’s global exports of IP services[1] totalled £11.5 billion in 2015.[2] As the UK leaves the EU we will have the opportunity to create tailored, IP chapters with key markets to support our goal of maximising UK trade and investment opportunities globally.

Getting the right outcome for UK inventors, creators and consumers will be key and the UK Intellectual Property Office is working closely with the Department for International Trade to identify areas where we can work collaboratively with new trading partners to improve IP protection. We will also be working closely with a wide range of stakeholders to develop our priorities around trade and IP, including Devolved Administrations, industry and consumers.

[1] IP services includes direct payment for franchises and trademarks, outcomes for research and development and distribution of computer software and audio-visual products

[2] ONS Trade in Services by type of service, August 2016 (Pink Book Balance of Payments measure.)