Substantive Patent Law Harmonisation (SPLH)

Representatives of the IP Federation have continued to play a leading role in the development of global thinking on improving the international patent system, especially through increased harmonisation of substantive law. Currently the patent laws of leading industrial nations or regions, such as the US, Japan and Europe, differ on several fundamental principles. While business has become accustomed to managing these differences, greater harmonisation of patent laws would bring considerable benefits through reduced transaction costs in global patenting and lower obstacles to trade. Crucially though, the resulting system must offer the best incentives to invent, and rewards for investment in innovation.