UK IPO consults on legislation changes
The UK IPO is seeking views on legislation that will help change how trade marks are registered and managed in the UK as part of the ‘One IPO’ transformation.
The proposed changes “will update the law and remove legal barriers, allowing the UK IPO to be more innovative and deliver world-class digital services. They will also address current inconsistencies between different IP rights”.
Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys and all trade mark legal professionals are being encouraged to engage with the consultation process which will be open until Friday 6th January 2023.
President of CITMA, Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy said: “The One IPO transformation project is a huge undertaking and will change the way we register and manage trade marks and other IP rights in the UK.
“Our members are some of the biggest users of the system, so we would encourage all Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys and those working in the trade mark legal profession to contribute their thoughts to this consultation."
The proposals, the UK IPO say, are needed to bring through the legal changes needed to deliver the ‘One IPO’ transformation programme.
The UK IPO said on its website that: “Responses to the consultation will help shape the laws underpinning the transformation programme, helping ensure the UK’s IP framework is fit to embrace the opportunities of the future.”
There are two parts to the consultation – you can respond to either or both:
Part A focuses on proposed changes to the law to enable digital transformation of the IPO’s services. The UK IPO is seeking evidence and views on a range of options on how legislation could be altered to better support innovation.
Part B focuses on proposed changes to improve the IPO’s tribunal function and align processes that should work in a similar way across rights.
It is intended that ‘One IPO’ will provide a single, integrated system across all IP rights and vastly improve digital services.
The Government is seeking evidence covering a wide range of areas, including:
- Standardising some legislative requirements across IP rights
- The use of artificial intelligence and automation
- Greater flexibility on fees
- Improvements to the tribunals function
- The types of media that can be used in patent applications
The One IPO service will be rolled out to patents customers a year from now. Trade marks and designs will be added in 2025.
Early details and demonstrations of the One IPO service have already been shared with customers for parts of the new service, including the new UK IPO customer accounts and the new patents application service.
The UK IPO’s Deputy CEO and Director of Services Andy Bartlett said: “Many of the laws that govern how the IPO operates were written for a paper-based world. For true digital transformation of our services, the law needs to be updated.
“Removing barriers that prevent us from being innovative means we can provide modern digital services fit for the 21st century. It’s essential that we hear from you to shape the laws that will underpin those services.”
The consultation will be open for nine weeks, ending on Friday 6th January 2023. Click here to contribute to the consultation
Click here for information about the One IPO transformation programme