UK IPO reveals 2014-15 ministerial targets

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has laid out several targets for the year ahead, including processing patent applications more quickly and working with businesses more closely.

At a briefing in London today, April 11, IPO executives explained what they will be doing over the next 12 months to assist IP owners.

To deal with patent applications more quickly, the IPO will provide an examination and search report when both are requested at the application date. The agency will also aim to meet 90 percent of requests for an accelerated two-month turnaround for search, publication and examination.

Targeting industry, the IPO will seek to sign up 10,000 companies to IP for Business, an online project that offers them a range of tools to protect and manage their IP. More than 7,000 businesses have signed up to the service already.

Other targets included publishing 80 percent of trademark applications for opposition within 90 days of their filing, and supporting regulations for the UK’s orphan works and extended collective licensing schemes.

Speaking at the briefing, held at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, IPO chief executive John Alty said 2013 was a “busy year” and that “much” of the recommendations from the Hargreaves review had been implemented.

The 2012 report made ten recommendations for improving the UK’s IP system, including introducing an Intellectual Property Bill.

That bill has now been approved by the UK’s parliament and is awaiting approval from the Queen. Neil Feinson, director of international policy at the IPO, told the briefing’s attendees that he is confident the bill will be signed by the Queen in May.

Elsewhere, the briefing heard about the IPO’s role in enforcing IP rights, with Alty saying there is “positive” support for the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, which is targeting crimes such as online counterfeiting and piracy.