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Urges Commission to Progress, not Pull Back Regulation on Crucial Generic Patents

Various entities, inclusive of firms and industry groups, have conveyed their significant apprehensions regarding the European Commission's intention to scrap the proposed Standard Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation. These entities have appealed to the co-legislators to advance the regulation...

Companies urge the Commission to progress, rather than retract, the Regulation regarding Essential...
Companies urge the Commission to progress, rather than retract, the Regulation regarding Essential Patents Standards

Urges Commission to Progress, not Pull Back Regulation on Crucial Generic Patents

The European Commission's proposed withdrawal of the Standard Essential Patents (SEP) Regulation has sparked concern among 64 organisations, including major AI companies and technology firms. In a recent letter, these organisations have urged co-legislators to advance the SEP Regulation instead of withdrawing it, citing its importance for Europe's competitiveness and innovation.

The SEP Regulation, included in the Commission's 11 February 2025 legislative work programme for withdrawal, is seen as essential for ensuring a transparent, predictable, and fair licensing system for standard essential patents. The organisations believe that the advancement of the SEP Regulation is crucial for Europe's competitiveness and innovation, and its withdrawal may be a setback.

The letter, signed by companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, OpenAI, Aleph Alpha, and Anthropic, among others, highlights that the SEP Regulation has broad industry support. The organisations argue that the withdrawal of the SEP Regulation may negatively impact the licensing system for standard essential patents, potentially hindering the establishment of a fair and predictable system.

The organisations also warn that the withdrawal of the SEP Regulation may hinder the development of advanced General Purpose Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) models, given the importance of the SEP Regulation in ensuring a fair and predictable licensing system. The withdrawal of the SEP Regulation is viewed as a setback for Europe's competitiveness and innovation.

In conclusion, the 64 organisations, including companies and trade associations, have expressed deep concern over the withdrawal of the SEP Regulation. They urge co-legislators to advance the SEP Regulation instead of withdrawing it, to ensure a transparent, predictable, and fair licensing system for standard essential patents, and to support Europe's competitiveness and innovation in the global market.

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