UK fines for IP infringement to rise significantly

According to the Register, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has “consulted with the public and industry on possible changes to sentencing and has received support for the increase in the penalties for copyright and other IP law infringement.”

The UK government has decided to increase the maximum fines in all copyright and IP cases to £50,000, an increase from £5,000 in England and Wales and £10,000 in Scotland. According to the report, this is all in response to consultation and suggestions from the public.

“On the introduction of an exceptional statutory maxima [higher fine caps], responses were generally positive, believing it would serve as a deterrent for would-be offenders,” said the IPO’s report on the consultation.

“There was concern that this level of penalty should be used with care and only when the case required it,” said the IPO’s report. “A few responses thought that exceptional statutory maxima should be set in accordance with the seriousness of the offence and the profit gained. Several noted that the courts would need to set a fine appropriate to the circumstances for each case.”

Source: The Register
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