On 24 February 2025, 64 companies and trade associations representing a large cross-section of businesses in Europe, wrote to express their deep concern about the European Commission’s intention to withdraw its proposal for a regulation on standard essential patents (SEP Regulation). We urge co-legislators to advance the SEP Regulation, not withdraw it.
On 11 February 2025, the European Commission published a proposed legislative work programme. Included on the list of regulations it intended to withdraw. This list included the proposed regulation on standard essential patents.
The 64 signatories believe this decision to be a step backwards for Europe and would do harm to competitiveness and innovation in Europe. The SEP Regulation has broad support from industry and is a needed piece of legislation to create a transparent, predictable, and fair system for licensing standard essential patents.