Transformation: one year to go for patents (HTML)
Published 17 May 2023
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2023 is the year that change starts to happen and transformation becomes real. With one year to go until the new One IPO service launches for patents, this document outlines what you can expect over the next 12 months. It includes a timeline for the rollout of the new service, the features you can expect and the changes that are coming.
From our Minister
Viscount Camrose, Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, said:
Intellectual Property (IP) is vital to the success of the UK economy and a powerful enabler of innovation and creativity. As the UK economy transforms to meet future needs, so too must our IP services, removing barriers to innovation and supporting UK innovators as they embrace the opportunities ahead.
By delivering fast, flexible, high-quality services for the future, the ‘One IPO Transformation Programme’ will help the UK Intellectual Property Office deliver its ambition to be the best IP office. I am excited to mark one year to go until the IPO’s new fully digital service for patents is launched
From our CEO
The Intellectual Property Office’s Chief Executive and Comptroller-General Adam Williams said:
2023 is the year that transformation becomes real as we deliver our first patent module. Now is the time to look at the changes that are coming, understand how they will affect your organisation and work with us to smoothly transition to the new service.
It’s an exciting time, and we can’t wait for our customers to start benefiting from the new One IPO service, as we deliver on our promise of providing brilliant digital services.
Timeline
What’s coming in 2023
Patents Pilot
Between September 2023 and Spring 2024 we’ll be running the Patents Pilot. The pilot will give a small group of customers the opportunity to have early access to the new One IPO patents service. Customers on the pilot will have dedicated support to transition all or part of their portfolio over to the new service. It will also give us the opportunity to test, refine and improve the service before it launches to all patents customers. You can express and interest in taking part in the pilot by emailing usertesting@ipo.gov.uk.
New search service for patents
In September 2023 the search service will replace the existing Ipsum search service. It will give you far more options to search by including keywords, owner of the right, date of registration and the status of the IP right. It will include data that is newly available online, including Supplementary Patent Certificates back to 2017 (SPCs).
The service will be packed with features to help you make the most of your searches. You will be able to save your searches, monitor the patents you care about and build your own patent journal. Trade marks and designs will be added to the search service in 2025, creating one place to search all UK IP.
What features can I expect from the One IPO service at launch?
The 2 minute video below explains what you can expect from the new service when it launches in spring 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVn_dlPPry0&t=3s
Five transformation changes you need to know about
Our new digital services will bring lots of benefits and improvements to our services, but it will mean that we have to make some changes. Below are five important changes that you need to know about.
1. Introducing APIs
In the coming months we will be working with IP software developers on a new service that will allow you to link your IP software to our new systems - APIs. To begin with we’ll be working on APIs that will allow you to view your IP, get details of your applications and request renewals straight from your IP software. We won’t be stopping there though, and we’ll continue to roll out new features for our APIs in the future. If you want your IP software supplier or IT team to be involved in the development of the APIs, please ask them to email transformation@ipo.gov.uk.
2. Phasing out eOLF
Many patent attorneys currently use EPO’s Electronic Online Filing (eOLF) service to file GB patent applications and international (PCT) applications. From spring 2024, when our new One IPO patents service launches, you will no longer be able to file any new PCT (international) applications with the UK IPO using eOLF.
eOLF will still be available for ongoing PCT applications and new GB patent applications for a further three months. This will give you some time to get used to the new UKIPO service and complete any ongoing applications before eOLF is disabled for UK IPO filings in summer 2024. Once eOLF has been disabled all new GB patent filings will have to be made through our new One IPO service.
We will be running our Patents Pilot between September 2023 – April 2024 to identify and correct any issues ahead of the launch of the One IPO service.
3. Changes to how you will submit patent applications
When the new One IPO service launches in April 2024 there will be some key differences in how you apply for IP:
- You will have to upload each part of your patent specification in a separate document – Description, Claims and Drawings.
- You will have to upload your documents in DocX or ODT format. For drawings you will also be able to submit a machine-readable PDF.
This might mean you need to change your current processes for preparing documents for IP applications, but there are lots of benefits to these changes including:
- better collaboration between IPO and attorneys through tracked changes and comments on documents
- faster IP examinations though more efficient processing
- more suitable for digital ways of working and future-proof
4. Account access and permissions
The new One IPO service will allow you to view and manage your IP through an IPO account. Each organisation will be able to have dedicated super admins who will be responsible for creating accounts, removing accounts and setting account permissions.
This will mean everyone in the organisation can have their own IPO account, but super admins will be able to restrict access to certain applications or client information where necessary. This will allow the organisation to establish ethical walls to avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Changes to paper forms
When we launch the new One IPO service will also be changing our paper forms to mirror the new digital service. You will still be able to apply via paper if you want to, but some of the existing forms may merge or change significantly.
Ahead of the launch of the new service, we will produce guidance outlining all of the changes to paper forms.
Supporting the new services
Internally, our systems, our structure, and the work our colleagues do will adapt to support a more digital way of working - this will mean reviewing how we’re structured internally to make sure we continue to deliver an excellent customer service.
Our new structure will make it easier for us to improve and iterate on our services in the years ahead. This will mean we’ll be able to quickly adapt to new innovations, changes and demands from our customers.