Launch of Patents Service and Update Overview
On 1 April 2026, we proudly introduced our new patents service to the public. This September, we present an update on our service roadmap, outlining the enhancements we plan to implement over the coming year.
Recent Enhancements to the Service
Comprehensive details regarding the updates to our patents service are available on our dedicated updates and improvements page. Below are some notable advancements:
Streamlined Representative Assignment
We have simplified the process of assigning a user’s organisation as the representative for GB and national phase patent applications. From now on, the user’s organisation will automatically appear as the primary option when selecting a representative, eliminating the need for tedious searches.
Enhanced Address Visibility
In the patent application process, users can now view complete address details when searching for applicants, inventors, or representatives. Previously, certain information, such as city or county, was omitted.
Refined Account Creation Process
We have made significant enhancements to the account creation and sign-up process, with further improvements anticipated in the near future.
Access to Patents Journal
Users can now view and search for details about patent applicants and owners through the Check the Patents Journal service.
Minimising Service Disruption
On 10 September, we successfully implemented our first ‘zero downtime’ update, paving the way for a significant reduction in service interruptions moving forward. Although some maintenance windows may still occur, these will become increasingly infrequent as we continue to automate our technical processes.
Current Priorities for Improvement
We are presently focusing on several high-priority enhancements, expected to be completed by Autumn 2026.
Advancements in Patent Applications
The ongoing improvements include:
- The immediate provision of a submission receipt upon the successful submission of a patent application; further information can be found in our developer blog.
- Enhancements to the ‘Check your answers’ page to incorporate fee details and prompt users to conduct additional checks.
Introducing the Contingency Filing Service
In preparation for the discontinuation of legacy patent services, we are developing a contingency filing service. This will enable customers to submit patent applications to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in the event that the new patents service is temporarily unavailable.
Response to Examination Enhancements
An improved option for uploading additional documents has been introduced, allowing users to submit response letters in PDF format, alongside the ability to include their reference numbers.
Improving Account Sign-Up
We have refined the process for linking a user’s account to their patents during the sign-up phase.
Excess Pages Functionality
Users will now have the ability to manually enter the number of pages when submitting description documents, ensuring that the correct excess page fees are applied.
Draft Application Management
Administrators will soon be able to delete draft applications, addressing a current limitation that allows only the original creators of a draft to perform this action.
Future Developments in Progress
Looking ahead, we are preparing several features, anticipated to be implemented between Winter 2026 and 2027.
Development of a Local Address Book
A local address book is in the works, enabling users to manage their organisation’s contacts effectively. Users will be able to save contacts for easy access when assigning representatives, applicants, and inventors. This enhancement will eliminate the need to search through the IPO’s database, reducing the likelihood of encountering outdated or irrelevant names and addresses.
Refinements to Search Functionality
We aim to provide users with more accurate and relevant search results, along with additional search options, including the ability to search by publication number.
Name and Address Change Features
New functionalities for changing names and addresses will be integrated into the service.
Enhanced Withdrawal Process
To instil greater confidence when withdrawing applications, we will introduce a feature allowing users to upload supporting information and view more details about the application being withdrawn. Additionally, a prompt will be added before finalising withdrawals to help prevent accidental submissions.
Renewal and Ceasing Notifications
We will implement digital reminders for users when a patent is nearing renewal or being ceased, thereby enhancing user awareness.
Upcoming Improvements Planned for Spring 2027
Several key enhancements are scheduled for Spring 2027.
Correspondence Enhancements
We will improve correspondence functionalities, including the distribution of correspondence, the ability to download multiple documents simultaneously, and the introduction of a document previewer. This upgrade was initially expected in Winter 2026 to 2027.
Payment and Invoicing Updates
Users can look forward to receiving invoices sooner for new patent applications. While we initially planned to include a feature for checking the balance of users’ deposit accounts within their IP accounts, this will be postponed to a later date.
Improvements in National Phase Applications
We are enhancing the process by which users claim priority dates on national phase applications.
Maintaining an Up-To-Date Archive
As updates are made, outdated content will be removed to ensure the information remains current. Users can access previous versions of our roadmap via the archive timeline on the page, searchable by date, or by selecting ‘Show all updates’ at the bottom of the page to view the latest modifications.