Member

I want to thank the Minister twice, once for keeping all options on the table. He mentioned the ongoing review of standard essential patents; keeping options on the table, including limitations on the use of injunctive relief and alternatives to the use of injunctions; and, as he has said, that, when consultation is concluded, Ministers will seek an early legislative opportunity to implement standard essential patent reforms. That is welcome, as is his commitment on Report to continue the review of product liability, especially in respect of online marketplaces, which of course this Bill touches on substantially; and the fact that, once that is concluded, Ministers will look to legislate in parallel with the implementation of the EU’s product liability directive in Northern Ireland, hopefully by the end of 2026. So I express my warm thanks to him. I am sure that will be very much to the benefit of consumers, which is what this is all about.