Search all content on GOV.UK

A patent registers your invention and lets you take legal action against anyone who makes, uses, sells or imports your invention without your permission.

• Overview

  A UK patent may help if you want to take legal action against someone who…

• Before you apply

  Only apply for a patent if: you’ve checked your invention does not already…

• Prepare your application

  A patent application must include: a description of your invention that…

• File your initial application

  You must have prepared your documents before applying. Your initial…

• After you apply

  Once you’ve filed an application you’ll get a receipt with your…

• Search, publication and 'substantive examination'

  Before your patent can be granted the Intellectual Property Office (IPO)…

• When a patent is granted

  If your patent is granted: your application will be published in its final…

ARIA will focus on projects with potential to produce transformative technological change, or a paradigm shift in an area of science. ARIA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology .

• Updated: 19 April 2023

The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products. CHM is an advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care .

• Updated: 15 April 2021

• Updated: 25 March 2015

Sections (76A.01 - 76A.10) last updated: January 2024.

• Updated: 4 January 2021

• Updated: 28 June 2022

• Updated: 5 February 2025

This is a check-against-delivery text of the speech 'Discourse: The future of engineering biology' delivered by Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean at The Royal Institution on 25 April 2025.

• Updated: 2 May 2025

This publication is designed to set the foundation for more detailed research and development on human augmentation.

• Updated: 13 May 2021

• Updated: 1 May 2025