United Kingdom
PATENT ANNUITIES COUNTRY GUIDE
About this Guide
This series of Spotlight Articles developed by the Astria team, shares insights into patent annuity country rules and formalities, based on key Patent Offices (PTO) jurisdictions Worldwide. Astria’s software-enabled payments service combines; leading intuitive software, IP data integrity and outstanding paralegal services, within one solution.
This article highlights the United Kingdom, a key market for many of Wellspring’s clients.
UK Patent Overview
In the United Kingdom, the first annuity fee is due on the 4th anniversary of the effective filing date, this is known as the 5th year renewal. This tends to occur once the patent has granted, however if a patent has not yet granted at the 4th anniversary filing date, the 5th year renewal will have to be paid within 3 months after the patent has granted. You may also have to pay multiple fees that cover more than one renewal year when you pay your first renewal fee. Once the 5th year renewal is paid, renewals will be due annually. The renewal deadline will be on the last day of the month of the filing date.
To ensure accurate calculation of United Kingdom patent renewals in Astria, the application number, application date, registration number and registration date are required.
Fact: Renewals in the UK can be paid 3 months before the renewal deadline and there is no additional fee by the UK IPO in the first month of the grace period.
UK
Patent Office
Renewal Process
Patent Applications
Between 2021 and 2022, the number of patent applications to the UKIPO increased by 3.4% from 18,854 applications to 19,486. While the number of patent applications has been lower in recent years. The same pattern has been seen in several of the larger patent application counties such as Germany, France and Japan.
The overall number of patents granted decreased by 2.9%, however, it is still the second highest annual number of grants after 2021.
Patent Renewal Rules
As mentioned, renewals in the United Kingdom are payable after the patent grants, unless late grant occurs. If a patent application has the filing date of 12/09/2017, and the grant date was 10/06/2020, the 5th year renewal fee would be due on 30/09/2021.
Astria displays the routine renewal payment deadline for renewals in United Kingdom. Organisations do have the option through Astria to pause payment, as it is still possible to pay the renewal during the grace period.
The grace period at the UKIPO lasts for up to 6 months with late fees applied by the PTO in United Kingdom. Renewals in the UK can be paid 3 months before the renewal deadline and there is no additional fee by the UKIPO in the first month of the grace period.
Effortless IP Renewals with Astria
ensuring confidence in your renewal deadlines, data integrity, and process management.