One IPO – a one-stop shop

The UKIPO has announced its plans to streamline IP services through its new One IPO Transformation Programme.

The integrated, digital platform will provide a one-stop shop for all UK IP rights – patents, trade marks and registered designs – allowing creators, innovators, businesses and brands to manage all of their IP rights in one place.

The One IPO platform will be built on a staggered basis, adding services over time. This will start with patents, followed by trade marks, registered designs and finally the IPO tribunal.

What are the key features?

The UKIPO has summarised the main features for users of One IPO to be as follows:

• Create an IPO account that will allow you to view, manage and update all of your UK IP online and in one place;
• New digital application services that will enable you to save and share draft applications, submit information in the order that suits you and save you time;
• New online search tools, giving you greater access to a wealth of valuable information on UK intellectual property; and
• An all-new digital service for managing IP challenges and disputes.

The prospect of an integrated trade marks and designs system is exciting for an IP lawyer like myself, and it should assist with efficiency of managing applications and registrations, both for client and lawyer alike.

I am also intrigued by the new digital service for managing IP disputes. At present, the system is clunky and there is no central repository of documents relevant to the dispute for parties to access. IP lawyers in the EU will know well that the EUIPO system is a shining light in this respect, with all documents for any trade marks and related disputes accessible to anyone with an EUIPO user account. It sounds like the UK is going to adopt a similar approach, which is overdue and something UK IP lawyers will eagerly anticipate.

When is it being launched?

The One IPO patents services is due to launch in spring 2026, although an official launch date has not yet been set. The dates for launch of the digital service for trade marks, designs and the IPO tribunal have yet to be specified, but should become clearer over the next months once the patents service has been finalised.