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.
