The UK Intellectual Property Office has closed its legacy online patent renewal channel, requiring patent owners and representatives to use its newer IP account-based service for renewals from November 9, 2026.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has formally closed its legacy online patent renewal channel, marking another step in its transition toward a centralized digital platform for managing intellectual property rights.
New statutory directions, published on November 8, 2026, under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977, came into force on November 9. They amend the existing electronic renewal arrangements to remove patent renewals from the legacy web filing service previously accessed through GOV.UK.
The change means that patent holders and their representatives must now use the IPO’s newer IP account-based service to renew UK patents and European patents (UK). The directions, signed on October 29 by Charlotte Champion, Divisional Director – Manage, acting on behalf of the Comptroller, vary the existing directions governing the common electronic renewals service, which came into force in April 2021.
Moving patent renewals to the new IP account
The closure forms part of the IPO’s wider One IPO digital transformation program, which is bringing patent application, management and renewal services together through a centralized digital platform.
The IPO launched its new digital patent services on April 1, 2026, but the legacy renewal channel continued to operate during the transition. Under the new arrangements, users must create or access an IPO IP account to renew patents. Once logged in, they can access the renewal service through the account’s ‘Renew an IP right’ section.
The IPO has confirmed that the renewal process itself will remain largely unchanged. Users can continue to pay by card or deposit account and renew up to 1,500 patents in a single transaction. However, patent renewals can no longer be combined with trade mark and registered design renewals in a single transaction. Those services remain accessible through the existing GOV.UK renewal channel without requiring an IPO account.
The change is primarily about how patent owners access the service, rather than a fundamental alteration to the renewal process.
Not the end of the wider Web Filing service
The closure of the patent renewal channel should not be confused with the retirement of the IPO’s wider Web Filing service.
In an October 2026 service update, the IPO confirmed that it had postponed its original plan to decommission Web Filing and other legacy patent services together. Web Filing would remain available for the time being, with retirement expected in early December 2026.
The IPO said it had adopted a more phased approach following customer feedback and discussions with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.
The distinction is important for patent practitioners who use Web Filing for other purposes. The November 9 change relates specifically to patent renewals, not the entirety of the IPO’s legacy online filing facilities.
Implications for patent owners and practitioners
The change has practical implications for patent attorneys, in-house IP teams and businesses managing UK patent portfolios. Firms that previously relied on the legacy GOV.UK renewal channel will need to ensure that their renewal procedures, account access arrangements and internal docketing systems reflect the new requirements.
Organizations should also consider how responsibility for accessing and managing IP accounts is allocated across their teams. The new account structure allows companies to nominate administrators who can invite colleagues and manage access to the organization’s patent portfolio.
Importantly, users do not necessarily need to link their IP account to a company to renew a patent. The IPO confirms that individuals can access the renewal service through their own accounts. For patent practitioners and portfolio managers, the immediate priority is ensuring that renewal arrangements are updated and that the appropriate people have access to the new account-based service.
The change represents another stage in the IPO’s transition toward a more centralized digital service, with further developments expected as legacy patent services are gradually retired.
The statutory directions and accompanying explanatory note are available on GOV.UK.
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