Consultation outcome

Proposed changes to statutory patents fees

• From: Intellectual Property Office
• Published: 13 April 2017
• Last updated: 5 October 2017 — See all updates

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Proposed changes to statutory patents fees government response

PDF, 344 KB, 13 pages

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Impact assessment

PDF, 605 KB, 32 pages

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Detail of outcome

The consultation asked for views on four proposals related to increases to pre-grant patent application fees. It also set out an alternative proposal of more modest pre-grant fee increases combined with small increases in post-grant renewal fees. In summary, the four proposals relating to pre-grant fees were:

1. increase to the application fee, and introduction of a 25% surcharge if it is not paid at the time of filing
2. increase to the fees for search and substantive examination
3. introduction of an excess claims fee
4. introduction of an excess pages fee

Based on the responses to the consultation, the government intends to:

• proceed with the increases to the fees for application, search and substantive examination as set out in proposals 1 and 2
• significantly adjust the excess claims/pages fees set out in proposals 3 and 4 – so that the excess claims fee is more modest and so that both fees apply to fewer patent applications
• make a small increase to post-grant renewal fees, but only from year 12 onwards

We’ve set out further details in the response document.

The government would like to thank all respondents for their contributions.

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Original consultation

Summary

Results of the consultation and the government's plans in light of the responses received.

This consultation ran from
11am on 13 April 2017 to 11:45pm on 6 June 2017

Consultation description

The Intellectual Property Office has reviewed the fees charged for registering intellectual property rights. We consulted designs customers and other interested parties on proposed changes to registered design fees. This resulted in the introduction of new registered design fees on 1 October 2016.

The statutory fees for UK patent protection have not changed since April 2010. It is therefore now time to review our patents fee structure to ensure that the fees we charge remain appropriate.

The consultation document seeks your views on four proposed changes to pre-grant patent application fees. An alternative proposal would make changes to both pre-grant fees and post-grant renewal fees.

Documents

Proposed changes to statutory patents fees

PDF, 267 KB, 18 pages

Patent fees impact assessment

PDF, 605 KB, 32 pages

Published 13 April 2017
Last updated 5 October 2017 + show all updates

1. 5 October 2017

   Government response and impact assessment added.

2. 13 April 2017

   First published.