IPSUM – On-line File Inspection at the UK IPO

This article was included in our Spring/Summer 2011 edition of Inside IP magazine.

The UK Intellectual Property Office has released an interim (beta) version of its new online patent information and document inspection service.  In its present format, the ‘Ipsum’ database extends online-accessible patent information to include case details, documents and prosecution histories for UK patent applications published after 1 January 2008 (this includes UK patent applications that are filed via the International or ‘PCT’ route).  The full version of this service, which will include more documents, is expected in October 2011.

Ipsum, which is searchable by application or publication number, includes most items of correspondence sent by the UK Intellectual Property Office after 1 November 2010, with links to cited documents in the online database of the European Patent Office (espacenet.com).  Third-party documents, such as responses to examination reports, are not presently accessible through Ipsum, however available information includes examination reports, external search reports (i.e. those prepared by an Office other than the UK Intellectual Property Office), published ‘A’ and ‘B’ specifications and patent forms.  Documents which do not form part of the open file, such as confidential or legally protected items, are not included in the database.  There is no charge for accessing the Ipsum database online.

In addition to the PDF versions of documents downloadable through Ipsum, uncertified copies of documents relating to published patents or applications may now be requested by completing patents form 23 online.  This service, which attracts a £5 charge, allows users to obtain electronic uncertified copies of documents in zipped PDF form by email (or on CD when the file exceeds 10MB).

The addition of these online services demonstrates the commitment of the UK Intellectual Property Office to providing a progressive, world-class service, and will be warmly welcomed by users of the system.

Ipsum can be accessed online at: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/

Eimear Sampson 24 May 2011

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