GB Patent Rules

Question 1

GB convention application:

When is a divisional due?

Answer 1

3 months before the compliance deadline

Question 2

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the search fee due?

Answer 2

12 months from the filing date

Question 3

GB convention application:

When are claims due?

Answer 3

Later of:

a) 12 months from the earliest priority date, or
b) 2 months from the filing date

Question 4

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the Application fee due?

Answer 4

12 months from the filing date

Question 5

GB convention application:

What is the deadline for filing certified copies?

Answer 5

16 months from the earliest priority date

Question 6

GB convention application:

When are formal drawings due?

Answer 6

15 months from the earliest priority date

Question 7

GB first filing (non-convention):

When are formal drawings due?

Answer 7

15 months from the filing date

Question 8

GB convention application:

When is a divisional due?

Answer 8

3 months before the compliance deadline

Question 9

What is the UKIPO form number for requesting examinaiton?

Answer 9

PF10

Question 10

GB convention application:

When is the Application fee due?

Answer 10

Later of:

a) 12 months from the earliest priority date, or
b) 2 months from the filing date

Question 11

GB convention application:

When is the Designation of Inventor due?

Answer 11

16 months from the earliest priority date

Question 12

GB convention application:

When is the Examination fee due?

Answer 12

6 months from the publication date

Question 13

GB convention application:

When is the search fee due?

Answer 13

Later of:

a) 12 months from the earliest priority date, or
b) 2 months from the filing date

Question 14

GB first filing (non-convention):

When are claims due?

Answer 14

12 months from the filing date

Question 15

GB Patents:

When are additional page fees payable?

Answer 15

Additional page fees are payable from the 36th page of the description onwards

(first 35 pages are free)

Question 16

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is a divisional due?

Answer 16

3 months before the compliance deadline

Question 17

GB convention application:

When is the abstract due?

Answer 17

Later of:

a) 12 months from the earliest priority date, or
b) 2 months from the filing date

Question 18

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the abstract due?

Answer 18

12 months from the filing date

Question 19

What is the UKIPO form number for requesting a new patent?

Answer 19

PF1

Question 20

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the compliance deadline due?

Answer 20

Later of:

a) 4 and 1/2 years from filing date, or
b) 1 year from first examination report

Question 21

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the Designation of Inventor due?

Answer 21

16 months from the filing date

Question 22

GB first filing (non-convention):

When is the Examination fee due?

Answer 22

6 months from the publication date

Question 23

GB Patents:

Excess claims fees are payable from which claim?

Answer 23

Excess claims fees are payable payable from the 26th claim onwards

(first 25 claims are free)

Question 24

GB Patents:

What are the minimum requirements to obtain a GB filing date?

Answer 24

* Indication a GB patent is sought (or PF1)

* Applicant details

* Description or reference to an earlier filied application

* Drawings (if application contains drawings)

Question 25

GB Patents:

What is the deadline for paying additional page fees?

Answer 25

Must be paid at the same time as requesting examination (i.e. with the form 10)

Question 26

GB Patents:

What is the deadline for paying excess claims fees?

Answer 26

Must be paid at the same time as requesting search (i.e. with the form 9a)

Question 27

What is the UKIPO form number for providing inventor details?

Answer 27

PF7

Question 28

GB convention application:

When is the compliance deadline due?

Answer 28

Later of:

a) 4 and 1/2 years from the earliest priority date, or
b) 1 year from first examination report

Question 29

What is the UKIPO form number for requesting search?

Answer 29

PF9a

Question 30

What are the 5 different routes for obtaining a UK Patent?

Answer 30

• Filing directly with the UK IPO as a first filing (a ‘non-Convention’ application)
• Filing directly with the UK IPO as a convention filing (an application which claims priority)
• National Phase of PCT Application
• Filing a divisional application from an existing UK application
• Validating a granted European Patent – EP(GB).