Guidance and notes on the Directions given in relation to filing patent applications by electronic means
(PD/EFD/7)
Introductory notes
(a) These notes are not part of the Directions. They are intended to provide background and additional information.
(b) The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these Directions. Therefore, all the definitions set out in the Act apply to these Directions. Further, amongst other things, generally any words importing the masculine gender include the feminine and words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.
(c) Where an electronic application is submitted which does not comply with the Directions, the comptroller may treat the document as not having been delivered (see section 124A(3) of the Act).
Applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the European Patent Convention
(d) These Directions do not include provision for an international application for a patent to be filed electronically under the Patent Cooperation Treaty ("PCT") or for a European patent application to be filed under the European Patent Convention.
(e) The
conditions and requirements
for the electronic filing of European patent applications were advertised by the EPO in OJEPO 11/2002
pp.543–548. More information about electronic filing of European applications is available on the European
Patent Office website 
.
(f) The conditions and requirements for the initial electronic filing of international applications under the PCT are given in Part 7 and Annex F of the PCT Administrative Instructions available on the WIPO website at: http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/. More information about electronic filing of PCT applications is available at http://www.wipo.int/pct-safe/en/.
Applications under the Patents Act 1977
(g) Applications can be delivered electronically to the Office in two ways:
i) using the web page http://www.ipo.gov.uk/p–apply–online–UK.htm
ii) using the EPO online services smart card service.
Registration
(h) The smart–card service is only available to those who have registered with the Office and have the required system specification to run the appropriate software.
(i) Details of the registration procedure for the online filing service can be obtained from the Office’s IT Helpdesk:
Telephone:
+44 (0)1633 813500
Fax: +44 (0)1633 814514
E–mail: eolf.support@ipo.gov.uk
IT
Helpdesk
Room 3B07
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom
(j) Details of versions of Microsoft Windows® supported by the Office will be issued to the user during the registration procedure, or on request.
(k)The electronic address mentioned in paragraph 23 of the Directions is provided to the user by the Office as part of the registration process.
Paperless filing
(i). No paper confirmation is required for documents delivered online or on digital media. A paper document is required, for the purposes of identification, to accompany an electronic application delivered on digital media (see paragraph 24 of the Directions).
Sequence Listings
(m) The requirements under the PCT for sequence listings, mentioned in paragraph 10 of the Directions, are currently those detailed in WIPO Standard ST.25. Details of the standard can be obtained from the WIPO website at: http://www.wipo.int/scit/en/standards/standards.htm.
Payment of fees
(n) The appropriate software requires the user to specify a method of payment, a customer account number and a payment reference.
(o) The web interface requires the user to give an account name and number if paying by deposit account, or the full card details (name, number, expiry date and the like) if paying by credit or debit card.
(p) Where a fee has not been paid, or has been paid only in part, then the applicant will be notified by the Office of this fact.
(q) Bank transfers are payable to:
Barclays
Bank Plc
Cardiff and South East Wales Corporate
Banking Team
PO
Box 674
3rd floor Corporate Team
121
Queen Street
Cardiff
CF10
2XU
Sort code: 20–18–15
Account
number:80531766
Swift code: BARCGB2220181580531766
IBAN:
GB31BARC20181580531766
(r) Cheques are payable to the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Enquires and service availability
(s) Helpdesk support for online filing is available between 08:30 and 17:00 hours Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.
(t) Advance notice of any planned unavailability of online filing due to maintenance is given on the Office website and by email to registered users.
(u) Any queries about these Directions should be addressed to:
Patents Legal Section
Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff
Road
Newport
South
Wales
NP10
8QQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1633 814083