GovWire

The IPOs Transformation programme is designed to modernise and improve the IPOs services. By the end of 2025, we will have replaced our existing processes with a digital system for all registered IP rights (patents, trade marks and designs).

In 2022, the IPO ran a first public consultation, which mainly focused on changes related the launch of the new digital patents service in 2024. The government response to that consultation was published on 1 August 2023. This will inform some of the potential legal and practice changes to enable transformation and the build of the service.

A second consultation is now necessary to inform and support the next phase of the programme, which is chiefly concerned with trade marks, designs and IPO tribunal services. This consultation sets out changes which the government considers may be needed in the following areas:

• online public document inspection service for trade marks and designs
• rules governing public inspection of trade marks and designs documents and requests for confidentiality
• series trade marks
• length of supplementary protection certificate fee payment periods
• collection and publication of addresses for patent inventors
• ways to encourage more mediation during IPO tribunal proceedings

We ask for your responses to the questions highlighted in the consultation document.