UK Intellectual Property Office Advances Digital Patent Filing with New Service Rollout

In April 2026, the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) officially launched a new digital patents service to the public, marking a significant modernization of its patent application process. Since the launch, the IPO has observed a substantial increase in usage, with the new platform becoming the primary channel for filing patent applications.

Data from the IPO indicates that the volume of transactions processed via the new service has more than doubled compared to the entire private beta period, which spanned from summer 2025 through March 2026. Currently, approximately 75% of all patent applications are submitted through this new digital service.

Looking ahead, the IPO has announced plans to decommission its remaining legacy patent filing systems over the coming months. This includes the retirement of the legacy emailing tool, which has been a source of duplicate correspondence for some users. Once decommissioned, correspondence will be consolidated exclusively through the new digital service.

Additionally, the IPO will phase out the Web Filing service and cease accepting patent applications and related requests via the forms@ipo.gov.uk email address. However, this mailbox will remain active for queries related to trademarks and designs.

The IPO has emphasized that legacy services will not be decommissioned until robust contingency plans are in place to address any potential unavailability of the new service. The decommissioning process is expected to be completed no earlier than autumn 2026, with at least two months’ advance notice provided to users regarding exact timelines.

In preparation for the transition, the IPO is reviewing and finalizing contingency strategies to ensure uninterrupted service. Further details on these plans will be communicated prior to the retirement of legacy systems.

Alongside the rollout, the IPO has published updates to its roadmap for service improvements. Recent enhancements to the patent application process include streamlined selection of the correct representative for accounts, immediate playback of application details and documents post-submission, and improvements to the 'Check your answers' page to display fee information and prompt additional review.

For responses to examination reports, the IPO has introduced new features allowing applicants to upload response letters in PDF format and to include their own reference numbers within responses, facilitating clearer communication and record-keeping.

These developments reflect the IPO’s commitment to improving the efficiency and user experience of patent filings through digital innovation, while ensuring a smooth transition away from older systems.