1,000 UK Electronic Patent Applications In One Year

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

29 August 2005

The UK's Patent Office received its 1,000th online patent application in time for the 1st anniversary of the introduction of the e-filing system in August.

The application was made by Alec Messulam of solicitors A Messulam & Co of Watford in July using the epoline® service. The system was introduced by the UK Patent Office to provide a secure and attractive e-business channel for customers to apply for patents.

The online service also allows applicants to file European applications for the European Patent Office or international applications for the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva.

Sean Dennehey, Director of Patents the Patent Office, welcomed the development: "I am delighted that we have reached 1,000 electronically filed patent applications within a year of the system’s launch. This shows the value of our continuing commitment to provide our customers with electronic services. The cooperation between the European Patent Office and the UK Patent Office has enable us to provide a reliable and efficient option for filing patent applications in the 21st century."

The UK Patent Office's epoline® system uses software created by the European Patent Office amended to handle UK as well as European & International applications.

For more information about using the epoline® system, please contact the Patent Office on telephone number + 44 (0) 1633 813500; or e mail to eolf.support@patent.gov.uk.

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