Reviewed 2 August 2010

Patent Office 2006 Review reflects current trends in Intellectual Property

The Patent Office's Annual Review for 2006 PDF document(8.75Mb) is published today. The report gives readers fast access to key facts and figures on UK Intellectual Property in 2006. The easy to read publication provides details of the number of applications received, grouped by type and region, as well as listing the Top 50 filers for Patents, Trade Marks and Designs.

This year, our highlights include:

  • The launch of a new award winning mediation service offering customers an affordable alternative to taking legal action in intellectual property (IP) disputes
  • A redesigned website to offer customers a better service
  • Successfully gaining ISO 9001:2000. We are the first patent office in the world to gain re-certification for ISO 9001 in relation to the pre-grant patenting process and also extended the certification to cover Search and Advisory Service commercial patent searches; the award confirms the Office as a centre for quality and excellence
  • The successful delivery of an electronic patent filing system
  • The Patent Office's contribution to international initiatives on fighting  IP Crime

Chief Executive of The Patent Office, Ron Marchant said:

"This has been an important year for the Patent Office. We ended 2006 fit for purpose and fit for the future. I am especially pleased that 'The Patent Office for the 21st Century' supported as it was by our Ministers Lord Sainsbury and then Malcolm Wickes, will - on the basis of the Gowers' Review of Intellectual Property, become the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) on 2 April 2007. I have encountered world-wide interest in the lead the UK has shown in modernising the Office and the IP system."

Editors' notes:

  • The publication is also available on request in hard copy and CD.
  • The formal 2007 Annual Report will be available at the end of July 2007.
  • On 2 April 2007 The Patent Office will change its name to UK Intellectual Property Office to better reflect the wide range of Intellectual property services it offers.
  • The Patent Office is an Executive Agency of DTI within OSI and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patent, designs, trade marks and copyright.
  • If you would like more information about the Annual Review or any other aspects of our work please call 0300 300 2000 or e-mail information@ipo.gov.uk

Date of release: 29 March 2007