We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
The manual of trade marks practice sets out guidance on the Intellectual Property Office work practices.
You may receive a misleading invoice that requests payment for a service related to a trade mark, design, or patent. Here's some information and guidance on what to do.
To protect your trade mark outside of the UK, you usually need to apply in each country you want protection in.
Examples of unacceptable trade marks around protected emblems, internet domain names and your company name.
Sections (14.01 - 14.209) last updated: January 2026.
Intellectual property can be bought, sold or licensed.
Benefit from your trade mark by licensing, mortgaging, selling, transferring ownership, merging and exploit by marketing.
Guidance for copyright owners on how to grant a licence for, sell or market their work.
Section last updated: July 2023.
Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated: April 2026.
Ownership of copyright works may depend on the circumstances under which the work was created.
The Trade Marks Act 1994 make up part of the trade mark legislation in the UK.
Licensing bodies and collective management organisations can agree licences with users on behalf of owners and collect any royalties the owners are owed.
The principal legislation on copyright can be found in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Finding the right advice and advisor is the first step in making the best decisions for your invention or business.
Directions under section 124A of the Patents Act 1977 for the form and manner in which documents can be delivered using the One IPO Digital Services.
Sections (17.01 - 17.123) last updated: April 2026.
Section last updated: January 2021.
The Patents Rules 2007 set out the detailed procedures under the Patents Act 1977, and came into force on 17 December 2007.
Use these fact sheets to assist you with your patent application.
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).