In response to representations regarding the cost of obtaining intellectual property protection in the UK, the Intellectual Property Office has introduced a new online patent system called Ipsum.
Ipsum will allow businesses to:
- view patent status;
- view up-to-date information on patents;
- access some documents from published patent applications; and
- see which classifications and fields of search have been used.
It will enable patent searches to be carried out more easily and will allow information to be gathered about why patents have or have not been granted. It is free of charge. Previously, each document request cost £5.
In addition, the system is updated in real time, so reliance on out-of-date information will no longer be an issue.