Guidance and notes: directions given under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977
Published 17 June 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/directions-under-section-124a-of-the-patents-act-1977/guidance-and-notes-directions-given-under-section-124a-of-the-patents-act-1977
Renewal of UK Patents and European Patents (UK) by electronic means
Introductory notes
a) These notes are not part of the directions. They are intended to provide background and additional information.
b) Where any document is submitted in a form or manner which does not comply with the directions, the comptroller may treat the document as not having been delivered (see section 124A(3) of the Patents Act 1977).
c) Granted UK patents and European Patents (UK) can be renewed electronically using the office’s dedicated web interface.
Payment of renewal fees
d) The web interface requires the requester to give an account name and number if paying by deposit account, or the full card details (name, number, expiry date and the like) if paying by credit or debit card. Customers who hold existing Intellectual Property Office deposit accounts should use their existing details when using the web interface to request a renewal.
e) The web interface will require payment in full at the time of the renewal request and part payments will not be accepted.
f) The web interface will accept payments for the renewal of multiple patents up to a maximum number of eight patents.
g) As from 21 June 2014, the web interface accepts payments for late grant patents which include the payment of previous renewal anniversaries. From the same date, the web interface accepts reduced renewal payments for patents on which a licence of right has been recorded.
h) The web interface will not accept payments for the renewal of a patent where an application to cancel a licence of right entry is pending or where a licence of right has been cancelled but the balance of renewal payments as required by section 47(2) of the Act is still outstanding.
Email acknowledgement and confirmation of renewal
i) The web interface will require the requester to provide a valid email address where they can receive emails sent by the office which confirm (i) the receipt of the renewal request, (ii) the acceptance of the relevant renewal fee and (iii) the successful renewal of the patent through the issuing of a certificate of payment.
Enquires and service availability
j) Helpdesk support for online filing is available between 8:30am and 5pm hours Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. The web interface will also provide a feedback facility which can be used to report problems and provide feedback on any aspect of the electronic renewals service.
k) Advance notice of any planned unavailability of online filing due to maintenance is given on the office website and by email to registered users.
l) 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.
m) 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)16 3381 4140