15th June 2011

UKIPO launches free online patent file document inspection service

The UK Intellectual Property Office has launched a Beta version of an online patent document and information service, which offers free access for the inspection of documents relating to patents granted and applications filed in the UK.

The new service, called Ipsum, contains all of the information currently contained in the UKIPO’s Patent Status Enquiry, as well as a forms log, citation, classification and field of search information.

Copies of some documents from the open part of a case file are also available – those in which there is Crown copyright. These typically include abstracts, claims, descriptions, drawings, examination reports, external search reports, PCT forms and documents, most correspondence sent by the UKIPO after 1 November 2010, and A & B specifications (including some published before 1 January 2008).

The UKIPO is also carrying out a consultation on proposals which would allow the UKIPO to enable the online inspection service to include documents for which it does not own the copyright, such as technical journal papers and prior art patent documents from other patent offices.

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