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Patrick Oliver

Statement welcoming EP report on AI and IPR

IP2Innovate welcomes an own initiative report by the European Parliament adopted today which urges policymakers to safeguard the European patents system from abuse.

The report by MEP Stephane Séjourné on intellectual property rights for the development of artificial intelligence technologies is one of several AI-related reports being considered in the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee. Others cover aspects such as ethics.

“We have been calling for stronger safeguards to protect the European Union’s patent system against abuse for years. The digital age brings with it complex innovations often containing hundreds or more patented elements within them. With the rise in the number of patents being granted there is also, sadly, a rise in the number of firms trying to game the system – so-called patent trolls,” said Patrick Oliver, executive director of IP2Innovate.

AI is no different. “The growth of AI is likely to spark a surge in patent applications, and it too could soon be plagued by non-practicing entities gaming the system,” he said.

“Europe will struggle to fulfil its ambition to become a global leader in AI if the intellectual property system doesn’t better protect against players whose sole aim is to exploit patents for a quick profit.

“These non-practicing entities have no intention of bringing inventions to market. Instead they deter genuine innovators – especially SMEs,” Mr Oliver said.

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IP2Innovate's 2nd statement on the Commission's intention to withdraw the SEP Regulation: Ahead of European Parliament’s JURI Committee hearing with EVP Stéphane Séjourné

BRUSSELS, 22 April 2025 - IP2Innovate: SEP regulation essential for European businesses' innovation and cost reduction Ahead of European Parliament’s JURI Committee hearing with Commission's Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, IP2Innovate reiterates its strong opposition to the European Commission's intention to withdraw the SEP Regulation. "Withdrawing the SEP Regulation now would be a grave mistake that undermines innovation, European competitiveness, and the EU legislative process itself," said Patrick Oliver, Executive Director of IP2Innovate. "The current SEP licensing environment is broken - unpredictable, fragmented, and inefficient - chilling innovation across sectors and eroding the competitiveness of entire European industries, who often face abuse by mostly non-EU entities. This situation places Europe’s supply chain security at risk and further limits the availability of innovative products and features and increases costs for European consumers." "The Commission's claim of 'no foreseeable agreement' contradicts the facts. The European Parliament already adopted a position with overwhelming support, and the Polish Presidency has explicitly stated its readiness to resume work on the Regulation." "Europe has become a venue where often foreign SEP holders litigate to exclude European companies from the market. The proposed Regulation brings essential transparency and fairness to a broken system." "As we look to the future of standards, advancing - not abandoning - this Regulation is essential for Europe's technological competitiveness."
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