Intellectual Property Office

http://www.ipo.gov.uk

Government agency responsible for intellectual property rights and the protection of ideas

What does the Intellectual Property Office do?

The Intellectual Property Office is responsible for the national framework of intellectual property rights: patent, designs, trade marks and copyright.

It supports innovation by ensuring that IP law and policy reflect the needs of an evolving, knowledge based, competitive economy. IP awareness raising activities promote the benefits of IP, which in turn encourages innovation.

Who can the Intellectual Property Office help?

Private inventors, research bodies, universities, schools, SMEs and large international companies who may be based anywhere in the world.

Key services

Granting patents, registering designs and trade marks in the UK, and maintaining them as requested by customers.
Commercial search services.
Opinions service offering an independent assessment of the main issues in a dispute.
Mediation services, so that parties can settle IP disputes by mutual consent
Intellectual property training
Educational support material
Free online IP diagnostic tool