Intellectual property
The IPO launched a One IPO Transformation programme in 2021 to transform its IP services. Since 2021, the IPO has progressed work to modernise, rationalise and improve its current processes, systems and services.
As part of the programme, the IPO published a first consultation in 2022 to inform some of the potential legal and practice changes to enable transformation and the build of the One IPO service. The government published its planned next steps in the light of the responses to the first consultation on transformation on 1 August 2023.
A second consultation sought views on further proposals to support the delivery of IPO transformation and considered six further areas for potential changes to current IPO services and processes.
- online public document inspection service for trade marks and designs
- public inspection of trade mark and design documents and requests for confidentiality
- series trade marks provision
- 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
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) sought views on the UK's future regime for the exhaustion of intellectual property rights.
- Read our response (August 2021)
The UK Government has issued a call for views on Artificial intelligence and intellectual property.
- Read our response (November 2020)
The Intellectual Property Office’s Inquiry on Draft Legislation: Supplementary Protection Certificate Manufacturing Waiver in a 'No Deal' Outcome:
- View the inquiry on the GOV.UK website
- The Law Society of Scotland's response (August 2019)
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has issued a consultation on proposed changes to GI schemes (including the protected food name scheme) to bring these into UK law after EU exit.
- View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
- The Law Society of Scotland's response (October 2018)
The UK Government's Intellectual Property Office is seeking views on draft regulations relating to trade secrets.
- View the consultation on the GOV.UK website
- The Law Society of Scotland's response (March 2018)