Guidance and notes on the Directions

These notes are not part of the Directions. They are intended to provide background and additional information to readers.

• The Interpretation Act 1978 applies to these Directions. Therefore, all the definitions set out in that 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.
• Where an email request is submitted which does not comply with the Directions, the comptroller may treat the email request as not having been delivered (see section 124A(3) of the Act).
• It should be noted that extensions are not available under section 117B of the Act to periods specified in relation to proceedings before the comptroller.
• The comptroller will not accept an email request that has been encrypted.
• It should be noted that the time accorded to an email request will be when it enters the Patent Office’s internal electronic communications network (email system). This will not be the exact time it was sent nor the exact time it was received by the Patent Office’s external server. An acknowledgement of receipt will normally be sent automatically.
• The processing of an email request within the Patent Office will be facilitated if the patent or patent application number is entered into the subject line of the email. For requests under section 117B(4) please also add the word "DISCRETIONARY" in capital letters.
• 'pateot' found at the start of the email address stands for 'patent extensions of time.'

Any queries about this Direction 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