The UK IPO clears its backlog for patent, trade mark and design examination!
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Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK IPO reports that they have received record numbers of patent and trade mark applications in the last two years, making 2020 and 2021 the busiest years in UK IPO’s history.
A backlog in applications occurs when cases take longer than the UK IPO’s service standards.
For patent examination, patent backlogs are those that have not been examined more than 42 months after the initial application. The UK IPO has announced that the backlog in patent examination has been cleared from 13,000 to zero. This is being reflected in the increased customer satisfaction rating for the UK IPO’s speed of patent examination, which has risen from 42% in 2019 to 75% in 2022.
For trade marks, backlogs are those that have not been examined more than 10 days after the initial application. In March 2021, there was a backlog of 32,185 trade mark applications, with the examination process taking 35 days. The UK IPO has announced that this backlog has been cleared and it is now processing trade mark applications within its 10-day target.
For design applications, the UK IPO had a backlog of 9,507 design applications, with the examination process taking 32 days. This backlog has also been cleared.
The UK IPO also reports that there has been a 335% increase in requests for changes to the IP Register over the last few years. This includes requests for a change of address or recordal of a transfer of rights. The backlog in these applications meant it was taking 33 days for changes to be processed. However, this backlog at the UK IPO has now been cleared and these requests are now being processed expeditiously.
The UK IPO cleared their backlog in IP rights by streamlining processes, pooling resources and recruiting more examiners. The increase in efficiency is been appreciated by customers, with the UK IPO achieving a customer satisfaction score of 88% in March 2022.
