UK Intellectual Property Office unveils detailed One IPO roadmap to improve patent services for inventors and businesses across the country

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is getting ready to launch the One IPO patents service, and with it comes an exciting roadmap of updates, enhancements, and improvements designed to make the patent process faster, clearer, and more user-friendly.

This new service is more than just a facelift — it’s a step toward giving inventors and businesses better tools to manage their intellectual property almost in real-time.

While the new service already offers several upgrades, the IPO acknowledges that there’s still work to do.

Here’s a closer look at what’s coming, how it will work, and what users can expect in the months ahead.

Pre-Launch Improvements: Setting the Foundation

Before One IPO goes live, the team is prioritising a set of urgent improvements that will ensure a smoother launch experience for users:

• Patent publishing: The service will restore full publishing capabilities so all patents can be properly processed and displayed.
• Internal system upgrades: Filing receipts for NP1 applications and invoicing will be processed more quickly, helping users track progress without delays.
• Derivation of rights: Applicants will have more detailed options to accurately state how rights were derived from the inventor.
• Draft notifications: Users submitting draft applications will receive notifications themselves, rather than the original creator of the draft.
• Fee updates: The system will display new fees accurately and ensure customers are charged correctly.

These initial improvements are designed to address immediate user needs and create a solid foundation for further upgrades.

Launch Window: The First Six Months of Innovation

Once One IPO goes live, the focus will shift to enhancing the user experience over the first six months:

• Correspondence management: Users will be able to control who receives correspondence, download multiple documents at once, and preview documents easily.
• Patent application enhancements: The representative will default to the user’s organisation, and the ‘Review and submit’ page will now include fee details and prompts for further checks.
• Responding to examinations: An ‘Additional docs’ feature will allow tracked changes to be uploaded more efficiently.
• Sign-up via IPO website: New users can create accounts directly from the IPO website.
• Change of name and address: Users will be able to update their information seamlessly.
• Withdrawal process improvements: Supporting information can now be uploaded, with prompts and details displayed before finalising withdrawals.
• Search functionality: Searching by publication number will be possible, and party searches will only return active addresses.
• Group functionality: Various improvements will make managing user groups simpler and more intuitive.

These updates aim to make the first months after launch as smooth and user-friendly as possible, helping users navigate their patent applications efficiently.

Beyond Launch: Enhancements for the Next Year

Looking further ahead, the IPO plans a series of improvements 6–12 months after launch:

• Correspondence upgrades: Reviewing and downloading correspondence will become even easier and more streamlined.
• Patent application improvements: Users will be able to play back application details and documents immediately after submission.
• Payment and invoicing: The service will offer better visibility of Deposit Account balances and more timely invoice issuance.
• National Phase applications: Improvements to claiming priority dates will make international filings smoother.
• Renewal reminders and notifications: Overdue renewal reminders and cessation notifications will be sent digitally, improving user awareness and compliance.

These enhancements are designed to make One IPO not just a launch success but a long-term tool that adapts to user needs.

What’s Next?

Users can expect a gradual rollout of features, starting with pre-launch fixes, moving into enhancements in the first six months, and continuing with more advanced updates in the following year.

The IPO encourages users to explore the roadmap and stay updated on new functionality as it becomes available.

By carefully implementing these improvements, the One IPO service aims to become the go-to platform for managing patents in the UK, giving inventors and businesses the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly competitive innovation landscape.

Summary

The One IPO roadmap lays out a clear plan for modernising patent services, with improvements before launch, enhancements in the first six months, and long-term upgrades up to a year after launch.

From faster processing and better notifications to more flexible search and payment options, the service is designed to make managing patents more efficient and user-friendly.

Inventors and businesses now have a clear path to staying on top of their intellectual property in almost real-time.