UK PO seeks to commission a study on "Patent Enforcement Project"

[James Heald <j.heald@ucl.ac.uk>]

http://www.patent.gov.uk/about/notices/enforcement.htm
(10 December 2003)

The Patent Office is inviting tenders from suitably qualified people to 
undertake a scoping study for a Patent Enforcement Project.

This proposed scoping study has evolved out the initial concept of a 
‘Patent Defence Union’ which was formulated by Professor Kingston. 
Professor Kingston’s report was produced for the European Commission in 
2000 and is accessible from 
http://www.cordis.lu/innovation-policy/studies/im_study3.htm .

In essence the PDU was to represent patent holders unable to enforce 
their rights internationally (who would subscribe to compulsory 
technical arbitration of disputes) and to litigate where necessary 
against infringers.

This original concept has been reviewed and recast by representatives of 
and advisors to patent holders to produce a broader commercial 
proposition that includes provision of a wider range of support 
services. The project has also been re-named as the Patent Enforcement 
Project (PEP).

The objective of the Patent Office study is to develop the concept of a 
PEP to the level of detail necessary to inform future funding decisions. 
If anyone is interested in undertaking this work, further details are 
available from:

    Karen Field
    Procurement Manager
    Tel: 01633-814972
    Fax: 01633-814711
    E-mail karen.field@patent.gov.uk