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To protect your trade mark outside of the UK, you usually need to apply in each country you want protection in.
Ownership of copyright works may depend on the circumstances under which the work was created.
Intellectual property can be bought, sold or licensed.
The Patents Rules 2007 set out the detailed procedures under the Patents Act 1977, and came into force on 17 December 2007.
The manual of trade marks practice sets out guidance on the Intellectual Property Office work practices.
Examples of unacceptable trade marks around protected emblems, internet domain names and your company name.
You may receive a misleading invoice that requests payment for a service related to a trade mark, design, or patent. Here's some information and guidance on what to do.
The Trade Marks Act 1994 make up part of the trade mark legislation in the UK.
The principal legislation on copyright can be found in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Licensing bodies and collective management organisations can agree licences with users on behalf of owners and collect any royalties the owners are owed.
Benefit from your trade mark by licensing, mortgaging, selling, transferring ownership, merging and exploit by marketing.
Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated: April 2026.
Includes chapters on definition of a design, novelty and individual character, technical function, morality and emblems.
Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated October 2025.
We have a number of options for you to submit your documents.
Section last updated: July 2023.
The Manual of Patent Practice explains the Intellectual Property Office's practice under the Patents Act 1977.
Includes chapters on applications, modification, priority and convention claims, illustrations and disclaimers.
The Patents Act 1977 is the main law governing the patents system in the UK.
Sections (17.01 - 17.123) last updated: April 2026.
Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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