UK IPO celebrates first filing in new digital service

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) marks a ‘game-changing moment’ as the first patent is filed in the new ‘One IPO’ service.

The IPO is celebrating a landmark moment, with the first patent application successfully filed on the new fully digital ‘One IPO’ patents service.

The IPO also debuted its new AI-powered patent allocation tool, which slashes the time taken to get the patent application to the right team from 14 days to a matter of seconds. This enables a more streamlined and efficient service. 

The news of the first patent being filed comes as the IPO ramps up its pilot of the new service, where some customers are given early access to test and give their feedback ahead of the expected launch to all patent customers in early 2025. 

Transforming the IPO 

Since 2021, the IPO has been transforming the services it offers through the One IPO Transformation Program, which will provide a single, integrated service for managing all UK IP rights. 

The One IPO Transformation Program is the most challenging and ambitious endeavor in the IPO’s history. It is core to the IPO’s goal of becoming a more innovative, dynamic, and responsive organization. Over the last three years, the program has worked with hundreds of patent customers to develop a best-in-class rights-granting service that meets the needs of customers.  

The new patents service is due to launch to the public in the first half of 2025, followed by a new service for trademarks, designs, and IPO tribunals launching in 2026. 

The new patent application service will offer customers several sought-after improvements, including: 

• View, manage, and update your portfolio of UK patents online for the first time
• More fluid patent applications that allow customers to submit information in manageable chunks and in the order that suits them 
• Save and share draft applications with colleagues and clients for easy collaboration and a more flexible way of working – this is one of the IPO’s most requested features
• Built-in checks to prevent errors and give instant feedback on formatting issues, meaning fewer unnecessary delays
• Reusing data from the customers’ accounts to save time and prevent customers from having to re-enter information on each application.  

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle, hailed the service as “a true revolution in efficiency,” adding: “The IPO’s new service is an embodiment of our vision to transform how we deliver slicker and quicker digital services to the British public. 

“The One IPO system will make it easier for users to bring their new innovations to market. Through the application of cutting-edge AI, it will also change what is currently a weeks-long administrative process into one taking a matter of seconds. 

“This represents a true revolution in efficiency, supporting innovators to deliver the solutions which will kickstart our economic growth and usher in a new era of productivity.” 

Andy Bartlett, IPO’s Deputy CEO, described the moment as a “game changer,” adding: “I can’t emphasize enough what a huge game-changer this is for both the IPO and our customers. It brings us one step closer to delivering our strategy – high-quality, efficient, and accessible services. It’s a great example of digital transformation helping businesses grow. 

“This was a massive test for what we’ve been building, and we passed that test with flying colors.” 

Natasha Chick, IPO’s Divisional Director of Transformation, hailed the first filing: “I’m absolutely thrilled that the first patent has been filed using our new service. We’ve made so much progress, and this is a huge moment that shows how far we’ve come. I can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on with more customers.” 

Matt Dixon, President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA), highlighted CIPA’s continued support for the project: “CIPA is delighted to see that this landmark in the IPO’s transformation program has been reached. The whole program is an enormous, but much needed, undertaking, and we are pleased that our members have been able to be involved in the testing and development of the systems, providing practical user feedback.  

“We look forward to the launch of One IPO for patents in 2025 and continue to offer our support both in the final stage of the patent project and beyond”. 

Murgitroyd welcomed the IPO to its Southampton office to mark this occasion with patent attorneys and paralegal teams alike seeing the program in action. Thomas Gibb etched his name in IPO history as the first person to file a patent in the new service. Murgitroyd is a large full-service intellectual property firm, with 22 offices across the globe.  

Thomas Gibb of Murgitroyd said of the new service: “It looks like a great system. We’re really excited about what it can do already and we’re looking forward to seeing how it will develop. The team was really positive about it – it looks easier to use than what we’re used to. It was exciting to join the pilot, file the first patent, and be a part of patent history!”  

AI allocation tool 

The improvements aren’t limited to customer-facing services. As part of its One IPO Transformation Program, the IPO has also been overhauling its internal systems to process patents more quickly and efficiently.  

A symbol of this improvement is the new AI allocation tool, which automatically sends patents to IPO examiners with the right technical expertise.  

The allocation tool dramatically improves efficiency, instantly completing a task that previously took 14 days. This is just one example of the kind of improvements and efficiencies the IPO will be able to deliver as a result of their new digital services. 

The service has been designed so future changes and improvements can be made quickly in response to customers’ needs. Expected future improvements include a suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that will allow attorneys to transact with the IPO directly from their existing IP software. 

Piloting the new service 

The IPO is looking for more customers to take part in the pilot of its new patent service. You can find out more about why you should get involved in the pilot by reading the IPO’s updated guidance and expressing your interest in taking part by emailing pilot@ipo.gov.uk. 

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