Signature of UK’s Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession protocol in July 2023 The big news in trade and IP this year is that the UK has agreed in principle to join the Comprehen­sive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), following the signature of the UK’s CPTPP accession protocol on July 16, 2023 in New Zealand. The UK is expected to accede to the CPTPP next year, following Parliamentary scrutiny and completion of the ratification process. Success for the UK: IP Federation’s close trusted collaborative working with Government, and other key stakeholders After 5 years or so of sustained strong engagement, hard work and trusted collaboration with UK Government officials (DBT/formerly DIT, IPO) at all levels and other key stakeholders including the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), the IP Federation are very pleased to report the recent successful outcome that Government has achieved in relation to intellectual property (IP) aspects of the UK’s accession to the CPTPP. The effect of this Agreement is that no inconsistency can arise from the UK’s concurrent membership of both the European Patent Convention (EPC) and CPTPP.