Statutory guidance

Guidance and notes on the directions given under section 123(2A)

Updated 6 March 2020

(a) These notes are not part of the directions. They are intended to provide background and additional information.

(b) The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these directions. Therefore, all the definitions set out in the Patents Act apply to these directions. Further, amongst other things, generally any words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.

(c) Section 123(2A) of the Patents Act allows the comptroller to give directions specifying any forms the use of which is required by the Patents Rules.

(d) All of the patent forms and supplementary certificate forms have been revised to include a link to a privacy notice which is required for the Office to meets its obligations under the GDPR on the 25 May 2018. The link has been provided at the bottom of each form.

(e) All of the UK patents forms are available on our website.

(f) Any queries about these directions should be addressed to:

Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Patents Legal Section
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44(0)30 0300 2000
Telephone: +44(0)16 3381 4000
Minicom: +44(0)30 0020 0015