Question Q194 National Group: United Kingdom Title: The ... - AIPPI

jurisdictions that utilise a hybrid system which mixes roman, civil and common law
principles.
SUMMARY
The laws of the United Kingdom do not give rise to different types of co-ownership of
IPRs dependant upon the origin of the co-ownership. Regardless of the genesis of
the work that is co-owned, there are two different types of co-ownership, namely
either as ‘tenants in common’ or as a ‘joint tenants,’ which affects the nature of
survivorship rights. The UK also permits ownership of equitable and legal titles, held
by different persons.
Co-ownership is commonly regulated by contract, and freedom of contract makes
almost any arrangement permissible. The rights of co-owners to work inventions and
licence rights do vary based upon the IPR in question and the relevant governing
statutory regime. In general co-owners must agree to licence and sub-contract the
IPR and may not act unilaterally, although they may seek a decision of the Court to
determine a dispute between themselves.
The interface between competition and IPRs is complex, and the law is greatly
influenced by EU law. The UK seeks to balance the public policy between the
individual right and the public interest, e.g. it is possible to request a compulsory
licence to ensure patents are worked.
In general, the UK group believes that a co-owner should be subject to restrictions on
freedom to deal with a co-owned IPR; otherwise the value of that right may diminish.
Where co-owners are in different jurisdictions and disputes arise, the UK Courts
determine ownership by reference to the relevant foreign law or laws based on the
location of creation.
The group supports moves towards harmonising these issues, because differences
in national laws can defeat the expectations of owners who structure their
relationship with co-owners based on their own national law. The harmonization of
each IPR should be considered in turn, and we would recommend that process be
commenced with patents.
RESUME
Les lois du Royaume-Uni ne permettent pas différents types de copropriété des
droits de propriété intellectuelle selon l'origine de la copropriété. Quelque soit la
genèse du travail qui est en copropriété, il y a deux différents types de copropriété,
soit "conjointe", soit "solidaire",’ ce qui affecte la nature des droits du survivant. Le
Royaume-Uni permet aussi que la propriété sur la valeur et les titres de propriété soit
détenue par différentes personnes.
La copropriété est habituellement gouvernée par les contrats, et la liberté
contractuelle rend presque tout arrangement possible. Les droits des copropriétaires
d'exploiter et de concéder les droits varient selon le droit de propriété intellectuelle en
question et le régime légal applicable. En général les copropriétaires s'accordent
pour concéder et sous-contracter les droits de propriété intellectuelle et ne peuvent
agir de manière unilatérale, bien qu'ils puissent requérir une décision du tribunal pour
régler un conflit entre eux.