Cable’s fast track patent plan is abandoned as a bad idea

Vince Cable had suggested a “superfast service” capable of allocating patents in only 90 days
Vince Cable had suggested a “superfast service” capable of allocating patents in only 90 days
PETER MACDIARMID/GETTY

The Government has abandoned a plan to introduce a fast-track process for granting patents in the wake of fierce opposition from business and legal experts.

Under a proposal trumpeted in April by Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, the Government had suggested a “superfast service” capable of allocating patents in only 90 days. The intention was that speeding up the process, for a fee, would help to encourage entrepreneurship and would boost small businesses. At the moment, patents can cost thousands of pounds and take as long as three years to secure.

While the basic application costs from £230 to £280, most applicants opt to take legal advice first.

During a consultation exercise, the Government was bombarded with opposition to the move, with critics claiming that