REGISTER now: Visser ai webinar - BEYOND THE HYPE: AI IN PATENT PROSECUTION
​

Patent Box claims reach £942.5 million

No items found.
​
October 1, 2018
Additional information
Chevron icon
Table of contents
Chevron icon
Table of contents
  • Toc Heading
  • Toc Heading

New preliminary data published by the UK Government for the tax year ending 2017 shows companies have saved a total of £942.5 million in tax relief by using Patent Box. When full results are published in 2019 this figure could even exceed £1 billion.

Patent Box is a UK Government scheme which allows companies to apply a lower rate of Corporation Tax on profits gained from patented inventions, from 19% to 10%. The Patent Box was introduced in 2013 to increase the level of patenting and development of IP created in the UK. The scheme also encourages companies to locate high-value jobs associated with the development of patents in the UK.

James Seymour, Partner at EIP, said: “Patent Box provides an incentive for UK companies to innovate in the UK, and to develop and commercialise their intellectual property globally. Data from the most recent complete financial year, 2015-16, shows that the benefits can be significant, with 1,160 companies using the Patent Box to claim an average of more than £650,000 relief. However, the Patent Box is not only for large companies, as those classed as small or medium accounted for almost half the total claimants, claiming on average more than £55,000 of tax relief each.”

Any UK company that owns and profits from a patented invention may be eligible to benefit from Patent Box, potentially saving them thousands of pounds in Corporation Tax. The savings achieved in tax relief may also offset the costs of the patenting process, making it potentially a sound investment for those considering filing for patent protection.

James added: “While it is clear that UK companies are taking notice of the Patent Box, with the total relief increasing significantly year-on-year, there are thousands more who are potentially missing out on the substantial savings available.”

If you would like to learn more about Patent Box and how it can help your business, visit our dedicated Patent Box website, Patentise, or contact James Seymour.

Recent Case Reports

See all Case Reports

Invalidity of juicer patent upheld on appeal
03 November 2026
The Court of Appeal upheld the invalidity of Hurom’s juicer patent for lack of inventive step, while clarifying the admissibility requirements for patent amendments and the use of the unamended description when construing amended claims. It also confirmed the UPC’s jurisdiction over infringement in Poland despite Poland not being a UPCA Contracting Member State, but found that Hurom had failed to establish infringement under Polish law.
​
Evidence preservation doesn’t stretch to interrogation
03 November 2026
The Court of Appeal confirmed that evidence-preservation orders may be granted ex parte where there is a demonstrable risk that evidence could be destroyed or become unavailable, and that such orders may extend to relevant commercial and promotional documents. However, Art. 60 UPCA does not permit a bailiff or expert to question the defendant’s personnel on substantive technical matters, which must instead be handled under the Court’s control.
​
UPC Court of Appeal clarifies claim construction, the role of party experts, and provisional measures in direct-competition cases
03 November 2026
The CoA’s decision of 30 April 2025 in Insulet v EOFlow provides important guidance on claim construction, the role of party-appointed experts and the requirements for provisional injunctions.
​