Consultation outcome

Transformation consultation: Introduction

Updated 1 August 2023

Introduction

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the government agency responsible for developing Intellectual Property (IP) policy and legislation. The IPO also administers systems for issuing patents, trade marks and registered designs.

The government’s ambition is for the IPO to be the best IP office in the world. However, the systems and processes it works with are outdated and holding it back. If somebody wishes to apply for a patent or trade mark, they need to use completely different services. For example, changing an address requires customers to tell the IPO multiple times on different forms for each patent, trade mark or design they have registered. This isn’t efficient or straightforward for customers.

Over the next few years, the One IPO Transformation programme will completely transform the services the IPO provides.

The IPO doesn’t want to replicate its current services but redesign them around customer needs. Instead of building services around the separate IP rights, the programme will create a single, integrated system for all registered IP rights – a one-stop shop focused around the key tasks the IPO’s customers want to perform.

This new approach will allow innovative businesses and individuals to apply for and manage all of their IP rights, and research those of others, in one place. From these new services, you can also expect:

• fully digital services that are quicker and easier to use;
• improved guidance and collaboration features;
• powerful search and analysis tools to help you research IP

Having more efficient digital services will also allow us to provide new services in the future. Government wants the IP system to be responsive to the changing needs of UK innovators, creators, businesses and consumers. By making IP rights more accessible, we can empower customers to use and commercialise their IP more efficiently.

Many of the laws that govern how the IPO operates were written when IP rights were processed on paper. Current services recreate that paper-based approach in electronic form. For true digital transformation of IPO services, the legislation needs updating to remove legal barriers and address inconsistencies between different IP rights. Removing barriers that prevent the IPO from being innovative will allow it to provide modern digital services fit for the 21st century.

The One IPO Transformation work also provides government with a valuable opportunity to go beyond just tackling the legal barriers to changing technology. Simply updating what already exists would not get the best out of what technology can provide. The Programme’s goal of a single, integrated system for all registered IP rights will work best if the processes and procedures which the system is designed to follow are aligned.

Looking more broadly at the processes and procedures of the office and finding ways to improve, rationalise or enhance them is crucial for ensuring that the IPO can deliver services in the right way for its customers.

This consultation

There are two parts to this consultation.

Part A focuses on proposed changes to the law to enable digital transformation of our services. We seek evidence and views on a range of options on how our legislation could be altered to better support innovation.

Part B focuses on proposed changes to the IPO’s Tribunal function to improve the service provided and align processes that should work in a similar way across rights. These are more specific changes on particular issues.

You may respond to either or both parts. We welcome responses from rights holders, legal professionals, small and large businesses, individuals, and those with a general interest in how the IPO conducts its business.

Respond to the consultation by filling in the response form on Citizen Space, or by email to TransformationConsultation@ipo.gov.uk. This consultation will run for 9 weeks and the closing date for responses is 6 January 2023 at 11:45pm.

Data protection

We will summarise all responses and publish this summary on GOV.UK. The summary will include a list of names or organisations that responded, but not people’s personal names, addresses or other contact details. We will process your personal data in accordance with all applicable data protection laws. Please see our privacy statement and privacy notice for consultations for more information.

If you want the information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please tell us, but be aware that we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.

In particular, information you provide in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be disclosed in accordance with UK legislation (the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2018).