According to The World Intellectual Property Review, The Intellectual Property Bill in the United Kingdom has passed a third and final reading in the House of Commons on March 12th and is now awaiting a “consideration of amendments” and Royal Assent. This will be crucially beneficial to 350,000 designers in Britain and David Willets, the Minister for Universities and Science deem it to be “long overdue.”
Throughout all three readings the most controversial topic was Clause 13, which sanctions a maximum 10-year jail term for the illegal copying of a design. An amendment to include the word "intentionally" into the clause succeeded.
According to Willet, “We have listened to concerns that the wording of the criminal sanction is not clearly enough defined.” Willet added, “Amendments were made in Committee that were welcomed by industry organizations the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorney, the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys and IP Federation. The Bill that we are sending back for the other place to consider has been further improved.”
The long overdue passing is primarily caused by the debate concerning criminalization of copying design.
“Opinion remains divided on whether a criminal sanction for design copying is necessary, but I believe that the right balance has been drawn and I look forward to seeing how the sanction has deterred criminal activity from taking place.” Willet also cited the observations that he has made while visiting China. “On the basis of my recent visits to China I can assure the House that we are noticing a significant change in China’s attitude towards IP.”
“It is putting resources behind enforcement and we are engaging closely with it. Most recently, the Intellectual Property Office and City of London Police met senior Chinese police and customs officers and contributed to an Interpol training programme for 400 Chinese police managers.”
