PATENT FILING IN UK

United Kingdom is one of the most ancient countries having patent system since early 1400 century. In 1449, United Kingdom granted the first patent. The Patent Office of United Kingdom was set up in 1852. Since 2nd April 2007, the Intellectual Property Office of the United Kingdom is operating with the name of The Patent Office. It has direct administrative responsibility for examining and issuing or rejecting patents. United Kingdom has always focussed on encouraging the inventions for which it made amendments to its policies regularly. This is resulted in boosting of patent industry due to which United Kingdom witnessed over 22,000 patent applications in year 2015. With continuous efforts of the legislative of United Kingdom, these numbers are expected to increase further in coming years and the same is evident by the patent stats for 2018. With the vision of the UK government for boosting the patent filings, GPF is dedicated in providing the one stop solution of all the requirements of patent filings. GPF can assist in efficiently and promptly, using accurate translations, filing of patent applications. GPF along with Khurana and Khurana, Advocates and IP Attorneys (K&K) has tremendous experience in dealing with Patent Filing/ Prosecution as per UK Patent Laws, and can assist in hand-holding through the complete prosecution lifecycle of a Patent.

High Level Cost Estimate for Filing
Description
Price
Official Fee
$ 240
Attorney Fee
$ 700
Total
$ 940

Documents Required
  • English or Welsh Translation of the Priority/ PCT Document.
  • Assignment Deed.
Filing to Grant Procedure
1
STEP 1 : FILING

A patent can be filed in UK as any of the following formats:

  • Paris Convention based national entry.

  • PCT National Phase based national entry.

2
STEP 2 : PUBLICATION

Publication of UK patents is done within 18 months of priority date.

3
STEP 3 : EXAMINATION

Request for examination has to be made within 6 months from the date of publication. It is possible to request accelerated examination under PPH.

4
STEP 4 : PROSECUTION

Application is to be put in order for allowance within :

  • 2 months if first Examination Report is issued in more than 3 ½ years from the filing date.

  • 4 months  if first Examination Report is issued in less than 3 ½ years from the filing date.

5
STEP 5 : GRANT

Annuity for 4’th year onwards is to be paid after grant of the Patent. Protection of the Patent is for 20 years from the International Filing Date.