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Written question asked by Paul Kohler (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 6 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 July 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Small Businesses: Intellectual Property

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what support the Intellectual Property Office provides to SMEs seeking to enforce registered copyright and trademark rights against overseas infringers.

Answer

Helping SMEs protect and enforce their intellectual property (IP) rights is an important priority for the UK Government. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) provides support through its International IP Service, which offers guidance on protecting and enforcing IP overseas. This includes country and region-specific information on local regulatory frameworks, registration requirements, enforcement routes and common risks, as well as signposting to relevant overseas offices and enforcement authorities.

The IPO also maintains a network of IP attachés in key international markets, providing practical guidance to help UK businesses make informed decisions about protecting and enforcing their rights overseas.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16297
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Enforcement Intellectual property Small businesses
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk