Category: United Kingdom
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UK government proposes SEP measures such as rate-setting procedure, seeks input
The UK Intellectual Property Office has invited stakeholders from across the SEP ecosystem to submit views and evidence on proposed SEP measures by October 7, 2025.
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EWCA heard Pfizer, BioNTech appeal against Moderna’s COVID vaccine patent win
After losing a major ruling in the High Court of Justice in London last year, Pfizer and BioNTech asked the England & Wales Court of Appeal to overturn a decision finding a key Moderna COVID patent was valid and infringed.
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Another UK decision on FRAND procedures, another opportunity missed to depart from judicial imperialism: MediaTek v. Huawei
Context: With decisions such as the recent interim-license declaration in Samsung v. ZTE (June 25, 2025 ip fray article; follow-up: June 27, 2025 ip fray article), UK FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing) case law has reached the point where any jurisdiction other than the UK is by definition inferior and untrustworthy. Contorted rationales are presented to…
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UK appeals court dismisses litigation funding agreement challenges by Sony, Apple, Visa, Mastercard: “victory for common sense”, say local funders
In a landmark judgment widely welcomed by litigation funders the England & Wales Court of Appeal has ruled that litigation funding agreements are not a form of damages-based agreement, dismissing several challenges filed by Sony, Apple, Visa and Mastercard in UK class action claims.
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BREAKING: UK Supreme Court grants Tesla’s petition to appeal dismissal of Avanci-InterDigital FRAND pool rate case
Context: Last year, Mr Justice [Timothy] Fancourt of the High Court of Justice for England & Wales (EWHC) showed some sympathy for Tesla’s desire to obtain a UK FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing) determination against the entire Avanci 5G standard-essential patent (SEP) pool, but ultimately dismissed the complaint (July 18, 2024 ip fray article)….
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Samsung fails to end ZTE patent dispute with UK interim license: all cases carry on regardless of judicial imperialism
Context: On Wednesday, the High Court of Justice for England & Wales (EWHC) demonstrated that when it comes to standard-essential patent (SEP) disputes, the UK judiciary considers all jurisdictions equal — but itself more equal. Therefore, Samsung obtained a declaration of an entitlement to an interim license to ZTE’s SEPs, despite ZTE having offered one,…
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UK faces “end of litigation funding” if Parliament does not pass Litigation Funding Agreements bill soon, funder warns
Susan Dunn, Chair of the Association of Litigation Funders and Kenny Henderson of CMS debated over whether Litigation Funding Agreements should be regulated, and the prejudice funding receives in the UK judiciary system, at the most recent LF Dealmakers Europe in London earlier this week.
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EWHC holds Samsung entitled to interim license from ZTE: UK courts deem themselves more equal than other jurisdictions
As expected, the High Court of Justice for England & Wales has held that Samsung is entitled to an interim license from ZTE, but the decision raises serious issues.
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Litigation funders are “central” to class action regime, says UK Competition Appeal Tribunal chairman Hodge Malek KC
“We don’t want to kill off the industry [and] we want the best for everyone, including the funders,” Mr. Malek said at the 2nd Annual LF Dealmakers Europe in London yesterday.
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U.S. judge deprioritizes Samsung’s FRAND case against ZTE, UK judge requested post-hearing briefing on cross-jurisdictional implications
A federal judge in California has pushed back a hearing date by almost four months and a UK judge requested post-hearing briefing on Samsung’s multi-country FRAND lawsuits.