Statutory guidance

Guidance and notes: filing patent applications by electronic means

Updated 27 September 2016

1. Introductory notes

(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 that 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) 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 Act).

2. Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the European Patent Convention

(d) These directions do not include provision for an international application for a patent to be filed electronically under the PCT or for a European patent application to be filed under the European Patent Convention.

(e) The conditions and requirements for the electronic filing of European patent applications were advertised by the EPO in OJEPO 11/2002 pp.543–548. More information about electronic filing of European applications is available on the EPO website.

(f) The conditions and requirements for the initial electronic filing of international applications under the PCT are given in Part 7 and Annex F of the PCT Administrative Instructions available on the WIPO website. More information about electronic filing of PCT applications is also available on the WIPO website.

3. Applications under the Patents Act 1977

(g) Applications can be delivered electronically to the office in two ways:

i) using the Apply for a UK patent web page
ii) using the EPO online services smart card service.

4. Registration

(h) The smart-card service is only available to those who have registered with the office and have the required system specification to run the appropriate software.

(i) Details of the registration procedure for the online filing service can be obtained from the office’s IT Helpdesk:

Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44(0)16 3381 3500
Email: eolf.support@ipo.gov.uk

(j) Details of versions of Microsoft Windows® supported by the office will be issued to the user during the registration procedure, or on request.

(k) The electronic address mentioned in paragraph 14 of the directions is provided to the user by the office as part of the registration process.

5. Paperless filing

(l) No paper confirmation is required for documents delivered online or on digital media, but a paper document containing the information required by paragraph 15 of the directions is required, for the purposes of identification, to accompany an electronic application delivered on digital media.

6. Payment of fees

(m) The appropriate software requires the user to specify a method of payment, a customer account number and a payment reference.

(n) The web interface requires the user 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.

(o) Where a fee has not been paid, or has been paid only in part, then the applicant will be notified by the office of this fact.

7. Enquires and service availability

(p) Helpdesk support for online filing is available between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

(q) Advance notice of any planned unavailability of online filing due to maintenance is given on the office website and by email to registered users.

(r) Any queries about these directions should be addressed to:

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