Guidance and notes on the changes to patents form 14, 20, 21 and 51
Updated 6 March 2020
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/directions-under-section-1232a-of-the-patents-act-1977/guidance-and-notes-on-the-changes-to-patents-form-14-20-21-and-51
(a) These notes are not part of the directions. They are intended to provide background and additional information.
(b) The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these directions. Therefore, all the definitions set out in the Patents Act apply to these directions. Further, amongst other things, generally any words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.
(c) Section 123(2A) of the Patents Act allows the comptroller to give directions specifying any forms the use of which is required by the Patents Rules.
(d) Patents Form 14, Patents Form 20, Patents Form 21 and Patents Form 51 have been revised as set out below.
1. Patents Form 14 (Request to reinstate a patent application)
(e) Part 4 of the form has been revised to make it clearer to applicants what their accompanying evidence needs to contain.
2. Patents Form 20 (Request to correct or update a name or address held by us)
(f) Patents Form 20 has been revised to reflect that the form may also be used to update a name or address held by the Office following a change in circumstances such as a house move or change of name. Tick boxes have been added to part 4 of the form so that the applicant can inform the Office whether they are requesting an update following a change in circumstances or a correction of an error.
3. Patents Form 21 (Application to record a change of ownership or give notice of rights acquired in a patent or patent application)
(g) Patents Form 21 has been revised to allow the appointment of a new agent where the form is filed in relation to a transfer of ownership. A fuller declaration in relation to the payment of stamp duty when the patent or application has been transferred has been included on the form. Tick boxes have been added to identify more clearly who is requesting the change to the Patents Register.
4. Patents Form 51 (Appointment or change of agent)
(h) The notes on the reverse of Patents Form 51 have been revised to reflect that agents need no longer file a duplicate copy of the form.
(i) All of the UK patents forms (and information about associated fees) are available on our website.
(j) Any queries about these directions should be addressed to:
Patents Legal Section
Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0)30 0300 2000
Telephone: +44(0)16 3381 4000
Minicom: +44(0)30 0020 0015
Fax: +44(0)16 3381 7777