Guidance

One IPO Transformation Programme

Updated 1 April 2026

In the coming years, we’re set to revolutionise our digital services through the One IPO Transformation Programme. We’re investing over £100 million to develop a single, integrated service for all UK IP rights – patents, trade marks and registered designs. It will allow creatives, innovators, and businesses to apply for, manage, research and challenge UK IP in one place.

In-line with the Government’s drive towards modern, digital government, our goal is to give our customers a more satisfying experience and their time back. We’ll also be overhauling our internal systems and processes to work more efficiently, provide better value for money and offer a better customer service.

What you can expect from the One IPO transformation programme

We are building a new single digital platform for all UK intellectual property, which we will add services to over time. This will start with patents, followed by trade marks, registered designs and the IPO tribunal. The key features you can expect include:

• create an IP account that will allow you to view, manage and update all of your UK IP online and in one place

• new digital application services that will enable you to save and share draft applications, submit information in the order that suits you and save you time

• new online search tools, giving you greater access to a wealth of valuable information on UK intellectual property

• an all-new digital service for managing IP challenges and disputes

Our new patents services

As part of the programme, we have launched a suite of new patents services that are now available to the public.

1. Manage intellectual property

The ‘Manage intellectual property’ service allows patent customers to create their own digital IP account for the first time. The account is the gateway to our other new digital  services. Benefits include the ability to:

• search and view the status of your UK patents at any time

• make changes to your patents quickly via digital self-service

• renew patents digitally from your IP account
  
  

2. Apply for a patent

The new ‘Apply for a patent’ service is a digital patent application service, the  improvements this service offers include:

• complete your application in any order, save drafts and collaborate with colleagues

• view your application details and any updates in your account

• update your application at any time through your account
  
  

3. Search for a patent and check the patents journal

Our new search services, search for a patent and check the patents journal, make finding information about UK patents easier through:

• simple keyword searching - find relevant patents by describing your product or technology in everyday language

• visual data analysis - spot market trends without needing specialist knowledge

• downloadable patent information - share findings easily with your team

• clear, user-friendly interface - navigate patent information without requiring technical expertise

Next steps

While the public launch of our new patents services is a huge milestone, it’s just the beginning. We are committed to continuously improving these services in the weeks, months and years to come and have a dedicated team in place to do this. We have already published a roadmap of planned improvements that we’ll be rolling out over the next 12 months.

Now that the new patents services are available to the public, we will shortly begin phase two of our One IPO transformation programme – new digital services for trade marks.

At a later date, we will start work on the new digital services for registered designs and the IPO tribunal.

Where you can learn more

We have published a series of guidance videos and blogs on the new patents services.