Intellectual Property Office

The Intellectual Property Office

The IPO is the United Kingdom's principal authority on intellectual property (IP) with responsibility for patents, trademarks, designs and leading on policy for all IP including copyright. We are an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). As part of BEIS we are responsible for the role of IP rights in supporting and promoting innovation, helping to protect, define and reward creativity.

Patents help companies benefit from their R&D and innovation by protecting new technology for both products and methods of manufacture. Patent owners can enjoy exclusive rights to their inventions for up to 20 years, enabling them to strike licensing deals or keep rivals at bay whilst they establish their brand. In exchange for this 20 year monopoly the public is given full access to the details of the inventions, and can use that information as a springboard for their own innovations.