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Jo Johnson MP, brother of Boris Johnson, takes over as IP minister

Jo Johnson MP takes over as IP minister

Jo Johnson MP, brother of Boris Johnson, has been appointed as the new Intellectual Property minister, replacing Baroness Neville-Rolfe, but will remain as minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation. 

The post change comes shortly after the significant change to UK IP policy this year- the planned ratification of the Unified Patent Court.

Johnson, a fluent French speaker and Oxford graduate, has held office as MP for Orpington since May 2010 and was responsible for overturning the popular vote to name a new polar research ship ‘Boaty McBoatface’.

He will be the eighth person to take up role of Minister for Intellectual Property since the post was created in 2007, it is hoped that he will remain in the post for longer than his predecessors, particularly as the aftermath of the Brexit vote is expected to provide unforeseen challenges for the role and for Intellectual Property in the UK.  Unlike his brother, Jo Johnson was firmly in the remain camp.

For assistance on Intellectual Property related matters, Contact our experience Intellectual Property team at iplaw@cjch.co.uk