IPO celebrates first filing in new AI-enabled digital service

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is celebrating a significant milestone with the successful filing of the first patent application on its new fully digital 'One IPO' patents service.

This marks a pivotal moment in the IPO's ongoing transformation to provide more streamlined and efficient services for managing UK intellectual property (IP) rights.

The introduction of the One IPO service is part of a broader transformation initiative that began in 2021. This ambitious programme aims to integrate all IP rights management into a single, cohesive digital platform.

"The IPO's new service is an embodiment of our vision to transform how we deliver slicker and quicker digital services to the British public," said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The newly launched AI-powered patent allocation tool, a core component of the service, dramatically reduces the time required to route patent applications to the appropriate team from 14 days to mere seconds, enhancing operational efficiency.

Transforming the IPO

Since its inception, the One IPO Transformation Programme has collaborated with hundreds of patent customers to create a best-in-class rights granting service.

"I can't emphasise enough what a huge game-changer this is for both the IPO and our customers," said Andy Bartlett, IPO's Deputy CEO.

The programme's pilot phase, which allows select customers to test and provide feedback on the new service, is paving the way for a public launch scheduled for early 2025. Following the patents service, new systems for trademarks, designs, and IPO tribunals are expected to roll out in 2026.

Key features and improvements

The new patents service introduces several sought-after features, including:

• Online portfolio management for UK patents.
• Flexible submission of application information.
• Collaborative draft applications.
• Built-in checks to prevent errors.
• Reuse of data to save time.

These enhancements are designed to meet the evolving needs of IPO customers and streamline the patent application process.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that the first patent has been filed using our new service. We've made so much progress, and this is a huge moment that shows how far we've come," said Natasha Chick, IPO's Divisional Director of Transformation.

Supporting innovation and economic growth

The new digital service aligns with the UK government's goals to reduce the carbon footprint and support economic growth through innovation. The IPO's AI allocation tool exemplifies the kind of efficiency improvements that the digital transformation aims to deliver. "This represents a true revolution in efficiency, supporting innovators to deliver the solutions which will kickstart our economic growth and usher in a new era of productivity," Kyle added.

The pilot phase of the One IPO service has garnered positive feedback from industry professionals. Thomas Gibb, Chief Compliance Officer at Murgitroyd, which filed the first patent using the new system, remarked, "It looks like a great system. We're really excited about what it can do already and we're looking forward to seeing how it will develop."

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) has also been actively involved in testing and providing feedback on the new systems. "CIPA is delighted to see that this landmark in the IPO’s transformation programme has been reached. The whole programme is an enormous, but much needed, undertaking," said Matt Dixon, President of CIPA.

Future developments

Looking ahead, the IPO plans to introduce a new online patents search tool later this year, featuring advanced search capabilities and visualisation options. The organisation is also exploring the development of internal training materials and measurement approaches to further refine and enhance the service.

As the IPO continues to transform its services, it invites more customers to participate in the pilot phase of the new patents service.