The 2021/22 Innovation and Growth report from the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has been published. This report provides insight into the work the UKIPO has conducted over the past year and what this indicates in terms of growth in the UK.
Increase in applications and filings
The report shows increased demand across trade marks, designs and patents compared to previous years, with record numbers of trade mark and registered design applications being filed at the UKIPO . This suggests that investment in innovation continues despite the economic and Covid challenges that individuals and businesses have been facing.
Operational Improvements
Delivering on this increased demand has not been without its challenges, however. Application processing times were impacted during the year causing delays on decisions to grant and issuing of examination reports, but timelines are now back within the UKIPO’s target parameters. Operational improvements at the UKIPO will continue to be seen into 2023 with the ongoing implementation of its ‘One IPO’ transformation programme. As well as various back-office improvements, applicants and attorneys will start to see more consolidated digital services and information. The report highlights the digital renewal service, which was implemented in 21/22. This service has reduced renewal fee processing times for patents, trade marks and designs from five days to a matter of minutes. Other similar improvements are planned which will make the UKIPO much more user-friendly for attorneys and paralegals to interact with.
Future Technologies
As transformational technologies gain momentum, it has been important for the UKIPO to develop a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges they present. Developments such as AI, the Metaverse, blockchain and NFTs are good examples of areas it are discussing with stakeholders, including IP rights holders and the Chartered Institutes of Patent Attorneys and Trade Mark Attorneys . The establishment of a ‘Foresight Network’ of the UKIPO and these stakeholders will allow them to coordinate and continue their work, to ensure the UKIPO is well placed to deal with these innovations.
Green Technologies
To support the Government’s Ten-Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the UKIPO published analysis of various green technology areas. Its research has established that of the top 10 patenting countries, the UK is the most specialised country for Offshore wind power and Greener building technology, which includes smart home technologies. Further research will continue this year as the number of applications and the range of technology/business areas covered by them increase, to include analysis of trade marks and analysis of patent trends.
International collaboration
The UKIPO continues to build and develop its relationships with IP Offices in other countries, to support innovators in the UK to obtain protection for their IP rights in potentially important markets. Specific projects and negotiations are ongoing with IPOs in United States, Brazil, India, the Middle East and areas across Asia.
Engagement with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), G7 and European IPOs continues, with the UK IPO proactively engaging to support international collaboration and best practice sharing. This includes planned recruitment of a European IP attaché who will be based in Brussels to build and maintain these international relationships.
You can read the UKIPO’s full Innovation and Growth report for 21/22 here.
