Press briefings

Intellectual Property Office briefings on current news stories.

Consultation response on fast-track processing of patents

After analysing responses to the consultation on fast-track processing of patent applications, a new fast track system will not be introduced but guidance on existing accelerated services will be clarified and given more prominence.

Destruction of patent documents filed at the Office

By early 2009 the we will be processing patent applications electronically removing the need to retain original paper documents.

Patentability of computer programs, recent Court of Appeal judgment

On 8 October 2008 the Court of Appeal upheld a High Court judgment which had overturned an earlier decision of the Intellectual Property Office in the case of Symbian’s Patent Application.

Patent Prosecution Highway remains open

After a 12 month pilot, the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) agreements are to be continued.

The winner of the 2008 Cracking Ideas competition

David Lammy, Minister of State for Higher Education and Intellectual Property, announced the overall winner of this year’s Cracking Ideas competition at an award ceremony held at the Science Museum on 12 November 2008.