Insights Government publishes strategic approach to joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

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The policy paper sets out the UK’s:

  • strategic case for joining the trade agreement;
  • outline approach to the negotiations;
  • government response to the consultation run on CPTPP; and
  • initial economic scoping assessment for CPTPP membership.

In terms of the Government’s approach to IP, the document states that the CPTPP “builds on the multilateral IP framework and sets coherent and consistent IP standards and rules across the region, benefitting businesses and consumers. These standards represent a baseline on which parties can build, and the UK’s accession to CPTPP will not limit our ability to seek more ambitious trade agreements with others, including those that are CPTPP members”.

As for the UK, the Government says that the IP regime achieves “an effective balance between rewarding creators and innovation and reflecting wider public interests such as ensuring access to and use of IP on reasonable terms”. The Government says that it will ensure that the terms of UK accession to CPTPP are consistent with the UK’s IP interests. This includes not doing anything which is inconsistent with the UK’s obligations under the European Patent Convention (EPC). To access the Government’s policy paper, click here.