New April 2025!  Updated Intellectual Property (IP) Policy
GS1 has approved an updated Intellectual Property (IP) Policy, which will be rolled out in the coming months. The last major update was in 2009, and this revision reflects today’s best practices for standards development.

The new policy maintains the core principles of the original, but introduces clearer language, improved structure, and several key updates including simplified, technology-neutral terms, clarified procedures, and defined rules for dispute resolution.

What this means for you:
The transition for all current participants in GSMP work groups will begin in July. Both GS1 Member Organisations and companies will be required to sign the updated IP Policy and Opt-In agreements.

We’re giving you early notice now so you have time to prepare. Detailed instructions and access to the new documents will follow soon. There was a session on the new Intellectual Property Policy at the Standards Week, you can watch the replay on the Event website.

What to expect:
       • Now – early May: Advance notice of migration plan
       • May: New IP Policy and Opt-In agreements available for  new participants
       • July: Signing begins for all current GSMP participants

We will continue to keep you informed throughout this transition.

If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to gsmp@gs1.org.

Thank you for your continued commitment to GS1 standards and the GSMP!

Regards,

Andrew,

Andrew Hearn
Vice President, Standards
 

The GS1 Intellectual Property (IP)

Intellectual Property (IP) plays an important role in a broad range of areas, including science, technology, literature, the arts, Internet applications, healthcare sector solutions and more.

GS1 Working Groups specify business requirements, processes, and specifications. Many patents either already exist or are being filed today in these areas.

As the world's premier global organisation for neutral, open standards in the supply chain, GS1 strives to protect its community of users and their efforts and investments to the best of its ability. Our IP Policy is a key part of that effort.

GS1 seeks to develop standards that can be practiced on a royalty-free basis to the greatest extent possible. The objective of the GS1 IP Policy is to obtain royalty-free or RAND (reasonable and non-discriminatory) licensing commitments from companies participating in GS1 Working Groups that have Essential IP (Necessary Claims) relative to the required features or functions of the standard under development. The GS1 IP Policy helps to ensure that those who develop the standard are not improperly influencing the standards development process.

Companies or organisations who wish to participate in GS1 Standards Development (GSMP) Working Groups must sign the GS1 IP Policy and the Opt-in Agreement for each Working Group they wish to join.

Benefits to GS1 members who sign the IP Policy

• Receive a royalty-free license from Working group participants to Necessary Claims that cover requirements of GS1 standards
• Protection from laws suits and unreasonable licensing claims from other organisations participating in the development of the GS1 standards
• Receive early access to the GS1 standards
• Can participate in standards development process (to help shape and contribute to the development of the standards).

License provided under the IP Policy

The license (royalty-free or RAND) provided under the IP Policy is limited to Necessary Claims of Working Group participants. It is granted to Working Group participants on a reciprocal basis and GS1 members. Third parties outside the standards development process may have Necessary Claims that read on a published standard. Such third parties are not subject to the IP Policy and may request licenses from implementers of the standard.

All GS1 standards are developed in accordance with this Policy. In order to participate in standards development, your company will be required to sign the GS1 IP Policy.

What next?

How to sign the GS1 IP Policy