Intellectual Property Office

Intellectual Property Office

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks, and copyright. The IPO became the operating name of The Patent Office on 2 April 2007. The Patent Office was established in 1852 in order to grant patents, although the origins of the patent system date back a further 400 years. The IPO establishes an accessible intellectual property system in the UK, this helps to promote innovation and helps the economy and society to reap huge benefits from ideas and knowledge. They help people obtain the right type of protection for their invention or creation.

They possess ISO certification for the ISO 27001 for our IT security; ISO 14001 for our environmental management system; ISO 14001 for our environmental management system. In terms of patent documentation, they are certified to BS 10008 Standard, which is the British Standard outlining best practices for the implementation and operation of electronic data management systems, including the storage and transfer of data. Trade Marks and Designs are also seeking to gain the BS 10008 Standard shortly.

The IPO is responsible for IP policy, educating businesses and consumers about IP rights and responsibilities, supporting IP enforcement, and granting UK patents, trademarks, and design rights.