INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
OFFICE News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 9
March 2009
The Intellectual
Property Office (IPO) today (March 9) announced a review of its
trademark fees and services with a public consultation.
A range of options, including a reduced fee package and new
support services, aims to help businesses register marks more
easily and affordably in the UK, potentially saving them over
£700,000 per annum.
The review has been prompted by a decrease in demand for patent
and trademark applications in the UK, (down 12% in 2008) with
other trade mark offices, including the European trade mark
office, also seeing reductions.
A fee reduction for applications to the European trade mark
office has this week been agreed by the EU Member States, a move
long supported by the UK. The proposals contained in the IPO
consultation document will help maintain the UK as a competitive
option for businesses looking to protect their intellectual property.
David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property said:
"In the current economic climate, there is a risk that
businesses will not protect their Intellectual Property, which
will harm both those businesses and UK competitiveness in the
longer term.
"We welcome the fee reduction announced by the European
trade mark office. However we also recognise the need for the
Intellectual Property Office to keep improving its services,
ensuring national registration remains an attractive choice for UK
businesses, where such registration is appropriate.
"The consultation looks at measures which will help
businesses to continue to register intellectual property rights in
a downturn and continue to meet the needs of all customers."
Proposals, available on the IPO website (http://www.ipo.gov.uk), include
an overall reduction in the fee burden for trademark registration
and more flexibility over when businesses have to pay for that
service. The initiatives under discussion include:
* Introduction of a new 'early assistance' service for
new trade mark applicants
* Provision of an e-filing discount
for trade mark and patent applicants when filed
electronically
* Reduction of the fee that businesses pay to
oppose the registration of a new mark by another firm
The measures have been formulated taking into account a recent
market research exercise conducted by the IPO. Further research on
the specific proposals will be conducted during the consultation period.
Ends
For more information please contact Lucy Barrow in the IPO press
office on: 0207 596 6563 or James Thomson on: 0207 596 6547.
Notes to editors
1.) The Intellectual Property Office is introducing these
proposals to help businesses to continue to register rights in the
recession to maintain trade mark registration in the UK as an
attractive choice.
2.) This consultation is being conducted according to the Code of
Practice on Written Consultation available from the Better
Regulation Executive's website at: http://bre.berr.gov.uk
3.) The list of organisations and individuals to whom a copy of
this consultation document has been sent is available on the
website and can be viewed and commented upon by anyone accessing it.
4.) The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for
Innovation, Universities and Skills and responsible for the
national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising
patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages
innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and
users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the
foundation of the knowledge based economy.
It operates in a national and an international environment and
its work is governed by national and international law, including
various international treaties relating to IP to which the United
Kingdom is a party.