GovWire

Customers are receiving an increasing amount of misleading invoices from companies requesting payment for trade mark, design and patent services such as publication, renewal or entry in business directories.

What is a misleading invoice?

Misleading invoices refers to unsolicited mail or fraudulent invoices. They are sent by unsolicited organisations, who are not associated with the Intellectual Property Office. Misleading invoices mainly target trade mark customers. These invoices may charge for a renewal monitoring service or suggest for wider protection of your IP should you pay to be included in a European or international register.

What should you do?

Do not pay them. These invoices could be a scam. If you are unsure about the invoice you have received please send a copy to misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk and someone from our team will respond to you.

You can also report misleading invoices to Action Fraud, or your local Trading Standards office. For customers or representatives who have received a misleading invoice, please make an Information Report to Action Fraud via the online reporting tool. For customers or representatives who have paid a misleading invoice, please make a Crime Report to Action Fraud.

If you have paid a misleading invoice it is highly unlikely you will get your money back. This type of organisation operates across borders which makes any form of enforcement extremely difficult.

How do these organisations get my details?

The details of your trade mark application are uploaded onto the public register within hours of receipt. Once a patent or design application is published details are also made available online. This information is made available to third parties searching our IP registers.

Why is this data made available?

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide your name and address details. This information is a statutory requirement of each of the IP Acts.

Who are these misleading mail companies?

There are a variety of unsolicited organisations who often use very misleading names. Included below is a list of some of the current organisations that may send you an invoice:

• EIPA
• EUIP
• European Agency Intellectual Property
• European Intellectual Property Agency (EUIPA)
• European Intellectual Property Services (EIPS)
• European Patent and Trademark Agency (EPTA)
• European Union Intellectual Property Directory (EUIPD)
• Intellectual Property Organisation Service (IPOS)
• International Organisation Intellectual Property (IOIP)
• International Patent and Trademark Register (IPTMR)
• International Property Services (IPS)
• International Trademark Register
• INT-Trademarks
• IPRO
• IPR Protection
• Trademarks Worldwide Ltd
• World Intellectual Property Office for Trademarks (WIPOT)
• World Organisation for Trademarks (WOTR)
• World Patent & Trademark Agency
• WTPR

It is common for these unsolicited organisations to change their names. So, if you do not recognise the company or if theyre not listed above, please send a copy of the invoice to misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk.

We have included examples of redacted scam invoices (ODT, 1.04 MB) that customers have received.

Further information

If you require further reassurance or information, please contact misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk.