Directions for filing general correspondence using the forms@ipo.gov.uk e-mail address
Published 8 October 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/filing-documents-using-the-formsipo-e-mail-address/directions-for-filing-general-correspondence-using-the-formsipogovuk-e-mail-address
Introduction
1. The comptroller has made the following directions under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977 (‘the Act’), 37A of the Registered Designs Act 1949 and rule 78 of the Trade Mark Rules 2008 to direct the form and manner in which documents may be filed with the Office using the forms@ipo.gov.uk e-mail address.
2. These directions come into force on 11 October 2021.
Electronic address
3. All documents submitted through this service must use the forms@ipo.gov.uk address otherwise risk being delayed.
Content of email message
4. The e-mail shall include sufficient information to enable the comptroller to identify the application or IP right to which the request relates. The subject line of your e-mail should include the form number you have attached, the IP right number and (optionally) your reference. If you are attaching a document other than a form you should include the word “Other” in the subject line, instead of the form number.
5. The document the applicant wishes to file with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) shall be included as an attachment to the e-mail.
Format of e-mail message
6. An e-mail request shall be in plain text (RFC822 compliant).
Format of attached document
7. The attached document must be provided in PDF format otherwise it may be deemed not to have been filed. You should include the application or IP number in the name of any attachment.
8. You should not attach anything which you think may be prejudicial to national security or to the security of the public.
9. We will accept digital or typed signatures on any documents or forms you submit through this service.
Illegible or incomplete email requests and infected e-mails
10. Where part, or all of a document delivered through this service is illegible or incomplete, the request shall be treated as not complying with these directions.
11. Where an email delivered under these directions is reported as having a virus (or other malicious software) by the Intellectual Property Office’s virus checking software, the email request shall be treated as not complying with these directions.
12. Where an email request is treated as not complying with these directions under paragraph 11 or 12, provided the person making the request can be identified, they shall be notified of this fact by the comptroller.
Acknowledgment and time of delivery
13. Where an email request has been sent in accordance with these directions, it shall be treated as delivered only after it has been acknowledged by issue of a receipt from the comptroller.
14. The time of delivery accorded to the email request shall be that generated by the IPO’s internal electronic communications network (within the meaning of section 32 of the Communications Act 2003).
Payment of fees
15. Where a form or other document is required by the Patents, Trade Mark or Designs (Fees) Rules to be accompanied by a fee, that form or document shall be treated as not complying with these directions until the fee has been paid.
16. Fees can be paid by deposit account, cheque or bank transfer. If you pay using our service at https://fees.ipo.gov.uk/pay, a copy of the reference number generated by this service should be entered on the form(s) you are submitting.
Julian Elbro
Divisional Director, acting on behalf of the Comptroller
6 October 2021