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The Patents Act 1977 is the main law governing the patents system in the UK.
The Intellectual Property Office offers different methods of accelerating the processing of your patent application.
Information on paying by card, bank transfer, deposit account or cheque.
Section last updated: January 2021.
Details on how to file evidence regarding your trade mark or during tribunal proceedings.
Includes chapters on applications, modification, priority and convention claims, illustrations and disclaimers.
The principal legislation on copyright can be found in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
The Manual of Patent Practice explains the Intellectual Property Office's practice under the Patents Act 1977.
Section last updated: July 2023.
Authors of original works of art are entitled to a royalty each time one of their works is resold through an art market professional.
Depending on the objection raised in your examination, you have 2 months to respond through a number of options.
In order to better understand the process of applying for a design, we recommend you view the design timeline.
This guide provides information on how design applications are examined in respect of national applications filed at the UK Intellectual Property Office.
This document outlines the different accelerated procedures offered to accelerate patent application processing.
Sections (3.01 - 3.101) last updated: January 2025.
The Patents Rules 2007 set out the detailed procedures under the Patents Act 1977, and came into force on 17 December 2007.
Guidance for copyright owners on how to grant a licence for, sell or market their work.
Guidance for businesses and organisations holding EU trade marks at the end of the transition period.
Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated October 2025.
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