2025-05-212024/25:NU21 · p.5NUBusiness & energy
Support in case of patent infringement
State support for companies facing patent infringement abroad
What's at stake: Swedish inventors and companies affected by patent infringement in countries such as the US, China and Japan often face high costs and considerable uncertainty in pursuing a dispute, which can discourage the financially weaker party from asserting their rights at all. The question is whether the state should provide more support, for example through a dedicated authority, a cost cap or an insurance scheme, so that more people dare to and are able to commercialise their innovations.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The reserving party wanted an authority tasked with helping Swedish companies and inventors facing intellectual-property infringement abroad, an investigation into a cap on legal costs in patent disputes, and a state-guaranteed insurance scheme, while the committee pointed to ongoing work and existing law and saw no grounds for such an initiative.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motions calling for increased state support in patent-infringement cases and refers to ongoing work, existing law and previous positions in the field of intellectual property.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 8 (SD)
The reserving party (SD) wants an authority tasked with assisting Swedish companies and inventors affected by intellectual-property infringement in countries such as the US, China and Japan, the government to investigate a cap on legal costs in patent disputes since the financially weaker party otherwise takes on a large risk, and an insurance scheme with a state guarantee introduced for those caught in an infringement dispute with a third country.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 8 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Abstain 0/0/21/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Abstain 0/0/93/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/63/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motions 2024/25:553 by Lorena Delgado Varas et al. (V) claim 15, 2024/25:847 by Lili André (KD) claims 1 and 2, 2024/25:1451 by Tobias Andersson et al. (SD) claims 5-7, 2024/25:1963 by Margareta Cederfelt (M) and 2024/25:3136 by Fredrik Olovsson et al. (S) claim 24.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:553 av Lorena Delgado Varas m.fl. (V) yrkande 15, 2024/25:847 av Lili André (KD) yrkandena 1 och 2, 2024/25:1451 av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 5-7, 2024/25:1963 av Margareta Cederfelt (M) och 2024/25:3136 av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S) yrkande 24.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag approved the Government's proposal for amendment to the Copyright Act for literary and artistic works. The proposal means that radio and television companies are included in the compensation scheme for private copying and are given the same right to compensation as other eligible rights holders. The proposal aims to adapt Swedish law to a judgment from the EU Court of Justice. The Government also proposes a legislative amendment that clarifies the Government's ability to determine how the Copyright Act should be applied in certain cases. The legislative changes regarding radio and television companies enter into force on 1 January 2026, and the legislative amendment with the clarification enters into force on 1 July 2025. The Riksdag also said no to approximately 40 proposals in motions from the ordinary motion session in 2024. The proposals concern various intellectual property matters such as copyright in light of the development of artificial intelligence (AI), measures against patent infringement and knowledge-promoting initiatives in the field of intellectual property. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to ongoing work and applicable law.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants copyright legislation to be modernized to encourage development of legal services for processing protected material. (SD) — Reservation 8
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to see good conditions for sound businesses and gives the state a role in sharpening competition and improving conditions for smaller businesses, and lifts the small entrepreneur who competes with big business.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see good conditions for sound businesses and gives the state a role in sharpening competition and improving conditions for smaller businesses, and lifts the small entrepreneur who competes with big business. Government support, cost caps and state guarantees in disputes over infringements in third countries meet the fact that the economically weaker party otherwise bears all the risk. The plan does not address patent disputes and is otherwise critical of knowledge being locked in behind patents.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se goda villkor för sunda företag och ger staten en roll i att skärpa konkurrensen och förbättra villkoren för mindre företag, och lyfter småföretagaren som konkurrerar med storbolag. Myndighetsstöd, kostnadstak och statlig garanti vid intrångstvister i tredjeland svarar mot att den ekonomiskt svagare parten annars tar hela risken. Planen behandlar inte patenttvister och är i övrigt kritisk till att kunskap låses in bakom patent.
- better conditions for smaller businessesdecisive»investeringar, skärpa konkurrensen och förbättra villkoren för mindre« (party programme ↗)“investments, sharpen competition and improve conditions for smaller”
- good conditions for sound businesses»Vi vill se goda villkor för sunda företag« (party programme ↗)“We want to see good conditions for sound businesses”
- small business against big business»Du som arbetar hårt inom ditt eget småföretag, i konkurrens med storbolag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“You who work hard in your own small business, in competition with big business.”
- criticism of patent lock-in»för omvärlden och låser in den kunskap det tar fram bakom patent.« (party programme ↗)“for the world and locks in the knowledge it produces behind patents.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address patent disputes.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address patent disputes. The closest commitment is to strengthen the long-term conditions for entrepreneurship and innovation and that the state can take a share of the risk when individual actors cannot manage it. Government support, cost ceilings and a guaranteed insurance solution for infringement disputes follow that principle. The plan therefore supports the requirement, but the evidence is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte patenttvister. Närmast liggande åtagande är att stärka de långsiktiga förutsättningarna för företagande och innovation och att staten kan ta en del av risken när enskilda aktörer inte klarar den. Statligt stöd, kostnadstak och en garanterad försäkringslösning vid intrångstvister följer den principen. Planen stöder därför kravet, men underlaget är svagt.
- support entrepreneurshipdecisive»Stärk de långsiktiga förutsättningarna för företagande och innovation.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the long-term conditions for entrepreneurship and innovation.”
- the state shares the risk»Genom att staten tar en del av risken kan de gröna investeringarna öka.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“By the state taking a share of the risk, green investments can increase.”
- stimulate enterprise»entreprenörskap och kooperativ och social företagsamhet ska stimuleras.« (party programme ↗)“entrepreneurship and co-operatives and social enterprise should be stimulated.”
- fair rules in trade»Vi står upp för en öppen, fri och rättvis handel.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We stand up for open, free and fair trade.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address patent disputes, but the party programme establishes that society should support the emergence of small enterprises and strengthen opportunities for people with good ideas to run businesses, among other things through credit guarantees and early-stage support.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address patent disputes, but the party programme establishes that society should support the emergence of small enterprises and strengthen opportunities for people with good ideas to run businesses, among other things through credit guarantees and early-stage support. That the state assists inventors harmed by infringement in third countries is in line with that principle.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte patenttvister, men partiprogrammet slår fast att samhället bör stödja framväxten av mindre företag och stärka möjligheterna för människor med goda idéer att driva företag, bland annat genom kreditgarantier och stöd i tidigt skede. Att staten bistår uppfinnare som drabbas av intrång i tredjeland ligger i linje med den principen.
- support for small enterprisesdecisive»Samhället bör stödja framväxten och utvecklingen av dessa mindre företag.« (party programme ↗)“Society should support the emergence and development of these small enterprises.”
- support for inventors»Vi vill stärka möjligheterna för människor med goda idéer att starta och driva företag.« (party programme ↗)“We want to strengthen opportunities for people with good ideas to start and run businesses.”
- faster commercialization»Steget från idé och innovation till prototyp, produkt och kommersialisering måste bli kortare.« (party programme ↗)“The step from idea and innovation to prototype, product and commercialization must become shorter.”
- free trade on fair terms»Sverige ska ha en ekonomi som är öppen mot omvärlden och verka för frihandel på rättvisa villkor.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall have an economy that is open to the world and work for free trade on fair terms.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto demands action against crimes affecting businesses and the party programme establishes that good conditions for small businesses are crucial for new jobs.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto demands action against crimes affecting businesses and the party programme establishes that good conditions for small businesses are crucial for new jobs. That a public body assists in infringements abroad and that cost risk in patent disputes is dampened makes the right real even for the economically weaker party, in line with the demand that the possibility of litigation shall not be confined to those with high income. However, the plan does not directly address patent disputes.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver krafttag mot brott som drabbar företag och partiprogrammet slår fast att goda villkor för små företag är avgörande för nya jobb. Att en myndighet bistår vid intrång utomlands och att kostnadsrisken i patenttvister dämpas gör rätten reell även för den ekonomiskt svagare parten, i linje med kravet att möjligheten att processa inte ska vara förbehållen dem med hög inkomst. Planen berör dock inte patenttvister direkt.
- action against crimes against businessesdecisive»För att Sveriges företag även fortsättningsvis ska kunna leverera produkter, tjänster och jobb i världsklass krävs en pålitlig infrastruktur i hela landet, satsningar på forskning och utveckling och krafttag mot brott emot företag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“For Swedish companies to continue to deliver products, services and jobs at world-class level requires a reliable infrastructure across the country, investments in research and development and action against crimes against businesses.”
- good conditions for small business»Goda villkor för entreprenörer, egenföretagare och små företag är därför avgörande för att skapa nya jobb.« (party programme ↗)“Good conditions for entrepreneurs, the self-employed and small businesses are therefore crucial for creating new jobs.”
- fair access to litigation»Möjligheten att processa mot stat eller kommun, då man har goda skäl att få sin sak prövad, ska i en liberal demokrati inte vara en rätt förbehållen de med hög inkomst.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The possibility of taking legal action against state or municipality, when one has good reasons to have one's case heard, should in a liberal democracy not be a right confined to those with high income.”
- open markets for Swedish business»Sverige klarar sig inte utan frihandel. Öppna upp fler marknader för svenska varor och tjänster.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden cannot manage without free trade. Open more markets for Swedish goods and services.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that laws and rules safeguard property rights, competition on equal terms and legal security, that general legal aid is strengthened and that promotion policy is driven without naivety towards Chinese power politics.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that laws and rules safeguard property rights, competition on equal terms and legal security, that general legal aid is strengthened and that promotion policy is driven without naivety towards Chinese power politics. State support to inventors and businesses in infringement disputes with third countries aligns with this. The plan does not however address patent disputes particularly.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att lagar och regler slår vakt om äganderätt, konkurrens på lika villkor och rättssäkerhet, att den allmänna rättshjälpen stärks och att främjandepolitiken drivs utan naivitet inför kinesisk maktpolitik. Statligt stöd till uppfinnare och företag i intrångstvister med tredjeland ligger i linje med detta. Planen behandlar dock inte patenttvister särskilt.
- property rights and legal securitydecisive»slå vakt om äganderätt, konkurrens på lika villkor, rättssäkerhet« (party programme ↗)“safeguard property rights, competition on equal terms, legal security”
- no naivety towards China»Handels- och främjandepolitiken ska stärka Sverige som aktör för en friare värld och dra nytta av frihandelns fördelar utan den naivitet som alltför länge uppvisats för kinesisk och rysk maktpolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Trade and promotion policy shall strengthen Sweden as an actor for a freer world and benefit from the advantages of free trade without the naivety that has too long been shown towards Chinese and Russian power politics.”
- strengthened legal aid»Den allmänna rättshjälpen ska stärkas.« (party programme ↗)“General legal aid shall be strengthened.”
- lower burden for small businesses»Regelbördan för små företag ska minska, genom ansträngningar på både kommunal, statlig och« (party programme ↗)“The regulatory burden for small businesses shall decrease, through efforts at both municipal, state and”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes protection of intellectual property rights a prerequisite for knowledge companies to grow and requires that conditions do not disadvantage small and medium-sized enterprises.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes protection of intellectual property rights a prerequisite for knowledge companies to grow and requires that conditions do not disadvantage small and medium-sized enterprises. Authority support for infringement in third countries and an insurance solution balance precisely that imbalance that makes the economically weaker party hesitate to assert their right. That direct business subsidies are rejected does not prevent such generally designed support.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör skyddet av äganderätten till uppfinningar till en förutsättning för att kunskapsföretag ska växa och kräver att villkoren inte missgynnar små och medelstora företag. Ett myndighetsstöd vid intrång i tredjeland och en försäkringslösning utjämnar just den obalans som gör att den ekonomiskt svagare parten inte vågar hävda sin rätt. Att direkta företagssubventioner avvisas hindrar inte ett sådant generellt utformat stöd.
- protection of intellectual propertydecisive»En förutsättning för att den biotekniska industrin ska kunna växa och skapa värden för mänskligheten är möjligheten att skydda äganderätten till uppfinningar.« (party programme ↗)“A prerequisite for the biotechnology industry to grow and create value for humankind is the possibility to protect intellectual property rights.”
- equal conditions for small enterprises»likvärdiga villkor ska gälla för olika företagsformer och företagande i alla delar av landet och inte missgynnar små och medelstora företag« (party programme ↗)“equal conditions shall apply for different business forms and entrepreneurship in all parts of the country and do not disadvantage small and medium-sized enterprises”
- public risk mitigation»De offentliga organen bör medverka till att nödvändigt riskkapital finns tillgängligt, inte minst för mindre företag och i regioner med svag kapitalbildning och sysselsättningsproblem.« (party programme ↗)“Public bodies should contribute to necessary risk capital being available, not least for smaller enterprises and in regions with weak capital formation and employment problems.”
- no to direct subsidies»Direkta företagssubventioner avvisas.« (party programme ↗)“Direct business subsidies are rejected.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that it is a fundamental political responsibility that the rule of law is present with its full force when entrepreneurs are affected, and promises businesses better government support against espionage and theft attempts from foreign powers.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that it is a fundamental political responsibility that the rule of law is present with its full force when entrepreneurs are affected, and promises businesses better government support against espionage and theft attempts from foreign powers. The counter-proposal's demand for government assistance and an insurance solution for infringements abroad is close to that principle, as is the plan's ambition to strengthen incentives for research and entrepreneurship. However, the conclusion is derived, since the plan does not address patent disputes.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att det är ett grundläggande politiskt ansvar att rättsstaten finns där med sin fulla kraft när företagare drabbas, och lovar företag bättre statligt stöd mot spionage och stöldförsök från främmande makt. Motförslagets krav på myndighetsassistans och en försäkringslösning vid intrång i tredjeland ligger nära den principen, liksom planens ambition att stärka drivkrafterna för forskning och entreprenörskap. Slutsatsen är dock härledd, eftersom planen inte behandlar patenttvister.
- government support against foreign attacksdecisive»Ge företag som är engagerade i säkerhetskänslig verksamhet bättre stöd från staten att kunna möta cyberattacker, spionage och stöldförsök från främmande makt« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Give companies engaged in security-sensitive activities better support from the state to deal with cyber attacks, espionage and theft attempts from foreign powers”
- the rule of law should protect entrepreneurs»Det är ett grundläggande politiskt ansvar att rättsstaten finns där med sin fulla kraft när företagare blir utsatta för brott.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is a fundamental political responsibility that the rule of law is present with its full force when entrepreneurs are subjected to crime.”
- strengthened innovation capability»Stärka drivkrafterna för investeringar, forskning och entreprenörskap, genom lägre skatter på företagande« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen incentives for investments, research and entrepreneurship, through lower taxes on business”
- strong protection of property rights»Äganderätten och näringsfriheten ska ha ett starkt skydd« (party programme ↗)“Ownership and freedom of enterprise shall have strong protection”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to value Swedish interests in international contexts, prioritize Swedish industry and competitiveness and improve Sweden's position in trade.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to value Swedish interests in international contexts, prioritize Swedish industry and competitiveness and improve Sweden's position in trade. It also states that the entrepreneur's risk does not need to be so extensive. State support, cost ceilings and guarantees in infringement disputes in third countries follow that line, even though the plan does not mention patent rights.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang, prioritera svensk industri och konkurrenskraft och förbättra Sveriges ställning i handeln. Den konstaterar också att näringsidkarens risk inte behöver vara så vidsträckt. Statligt stöd, kostnadstak och garantier vid intrångstvister i tredjeland följer den linjen, även om planen inte nämner patenträtt.
- Swedish interests internationallydecisive»Värna svenska intressen i internationella sammanhang« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Value Swedish interests in international contexts”
- strengthened competitiveness»Prioritera svensk industri och konkurrenskraft« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize Swedish industry and competitiveness”
- strengthened trading position»Förbättra Sveriges ställning på den internationella marknaden och i handel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Improve Sweden's position on the international market and in trade”
- limited entrepreneurial risk»Risktagande är en naturlig del av företagande, men näringsidkares risk behöver inte nödvändigtvis vara så vidsträckt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Risk-taking is a natural part of business, but entrepreneurs' risk does not necessarily need to be so extensive.”
Share and embed
Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:NU21)
- Committee report full text (HC01NU21)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1191 — Sveriges 13 sämsta lagar av Rickard Nordin och Niels Paarup-Petersen (båda C)
- Motion 2024/25:1263 — Immaterialrätt för bättre innovation i upphandling av Aida Birinxhiku (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1342 — Framtidens e-sport av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1344 — Filmpolitik av Jonas Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1451 — Svensk innovationskraft och immaterialrätt av Tobias Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:154 — Upphovsrättsliga intäkter av Mirja Räihä och Per-Arne Håkansson (båda S)
- Motion 2024/25:1774 — Stärkt kulturpolitik - stärkt demokrati av Mats Berglund m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:1815 — Starkare skydd för svensk immaterialrätt av Peter Ollén (M)
- Motion 2024/25:1878 — En nationell strategi för immaterialrätt av Lili André (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1963 — Patentintrångsförsäkring för svenska innovationer av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2467 — En näringspolitik för tillväxt i hela landet av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:2617 — Främjande av kulturella och kreativa branscher av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:2952 — Digitalisering för hela Sverige av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:2987 — Civilrättsliga sanktioner på immaterialrättens område av Markus Wiechel och Alexander Christiansson (båda SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3110 — Utgiftsområde 17 Kultur, medier, trossamfund och fritid av Lawen Redar m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3136 — Utgiftsområde 24 Näringsliv av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:336 — Olaglig konsumtion av upphovsrättsskyddat material av Lars Mejern Larsson (S)
- Motion 2024/25:550 — Stärkt immaterialrätt bland små och medelstora företag av Markus Selin (S)
- Motion 2024/25:553 — En hållbar småföretagarpolitik av Lorena Delgado Varas m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:847 — Utredning om rättegångskostnader för immateriella skydd av Lili André (KD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament