Manual of Patent Practice

From:: Intellectual Property Office
Published: 19 February 2016
Updated:: 13 ~~July~~October 2022, see all updates

Contents

The Manual of Patent Practice (MOPP) explains the Intellectual Property Office's practice under the Patents Act 1977.

It recites sections of the Patents Act 1977 and the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 relating to patents.

The Manual also includes:

commentary for each provision and related legislation
official notices from the Patents and Design Journal
a section on Supplementary Protection Certificates for Medicinal Products
a section on Plant Protection Products

It is regularly updated to reflect changes in the Law and judicial decisions. Any paragraphs which have been updated in the preceding three months are highlighted by a grey box.

Note: Statements made in the Manual are not in themselves an authority for any action by the IPO and should not be used as a set of legal requirements.

If you notice any errors, please email the manual editor.

Manual of Patent Practice Introduction
Section (0.01 - 1.12) last updated: ~~April~~October ~~2020.~~2022.
Changes to the Manual of Patent Practice
This section details the recent main changes to the manual.
Glossary of terms and abbreviations used in this Manual
Section last updated January 2019.
Table of cases
Section last updated: April 2022.
Section 1: Patentability
Sections (1.01 - 1.47) last updated: July 2021.
Section 2: Novelty
Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated ~~July~~October ~~2021~~2022.
Section 3: Inventive step
Sections (3.01 - 3.101) last updated: April 2022.
Section 4: Industrial application
Sections (4.01 - 4.07.2) last updated January 2019.
Section 4A: Methods of treatment or diagnosis
Section (4A.01 - 4A.31) last updated July 2022.
Section 5: Priority date
Sections (5.01 - 5.32) last updated: October 2021.
Section 6: Disclosure of matter, etc, between earlier and later applications
Sections (6.01 - 6.03) last updated April 2007.
Section 7: Right to apply for and obtain a patent
Sections (7.01 - 7.13) last updated: January 2022.
Section 8: Determination before grant of questions about entitlement to patents etc
Sections (8.01 - 8.31) last updated: April 2018.
Section 9: Determination after grant of questions referred before grant
Sections (9.01 - 9.04) last updated April 2007.
Section 10: Handling of application by joint applicants
Sections (10.01 - 10.10) last updated: October 2019.
Section 11: Effect of transfer of application under s.8 or 10
Section (11.01 - 11.10) last updated: October 2019.
Section 12: Determination of questions about entitlement to foreign and convention patents, etc
Sections (12.01 - 12.16.1) last updated: October 2019.
Section 13: Mention of inventor
Sections (13.01 - 13.19) last updated: ~~January~~October 2022.
Section 14: The application
Sections (14.01 - 14.209) last updated: April 2022.
Section 15: Date of filing application
Sections (15.01 - 15.58) last updated: ~~April~~October 2022.
Section 15A: Preliminary examination
Sections (15A.01 - 15A.26) last updated July 2022.
Section 16: Publication of application
Sections (16.01 - 16.37) Last updated: April 2020.
Section 17: Search
Sections (17.01 - 17.123) last updated: July 2022.
Section 18: Substantive examination and grant or refusal of patent
Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated: ~~April~~October 2022.
Section 19: General power to amend application before grant
Sections (19.01 - 19.26) last updated: April 2021.
Section 20: Failure of application
Sections (20.01 - 20.10) last updated April 2021.
Section 20A: Reinstatement of applications
Sections (20A.01 - 20A.16) last updated: April 2021.
Section 20B: Effect of reinstatement under section 20A
Sections (20B.01 - 20B.02) last updated: April 2015.
Section 21: Observations by third party on patentability
Sections (21.01 - 21.26) last updated: January 2022.
Section 22: Information prejudicial to national security or safety of public
Sections (22.01 - 22.29) last updated: April 2022.
Section 23: Restrictions on applications abroad by United Kingdom residents
Sections (23.01 - 23.08) last updated: ~~April~~October ~~2021.~~2022.
Section 24: Publication and certificate of grant
Sections (24.01 - 24.05) last updated: April 2021.
Section 25: Term of patent
Sections (25.01 - 25.15) last updated: April 2021.
Section 26: Patent not to be impugned for lack of unity
Sections (26.01 - 26.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 27: General power to amend specification after grant
Sections (27.01 - 27.33) last updated: April 2021.
Section 28: Restoration of lapsed patents
Sections (28.01 - 28.18) last updated April 2021.
Section 28A: Effect of order for restoration of patent
Sections (28A.01 - 28A.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 29: Surrender of patents
Sections (29.01 - 29.07) last updated: April 2021.
Section 30: Nature of, and transactions in, patents and applications for patents
Sections (30.1 - 30.9) last updated April 2007.
Section 31: Nature of, and transactions in, patents and applications for patents in Scotland
Sections (31.01 - 31.05) last updated April 2007.
Section 32: Register of patents, etc
Section (32.01 - 32.24) last updated: ~~January~~October 2022.
Section 33: Effect of registration, etc on rights in patents
Sections (33.01 - 33.06) last updated: January 2021.
Section 34: Rectification of register
Sections (34.01 - 34.06) last updated : April 2007.
Section 35: Evidence of register, documents, etc [Repealed]
Sections (35.01) last updated: April 2007.
Section 36: Co-ownership of patents and applications for patents
Sections (36.01 - 36.09) last updated: April 2021.
Section 37: Determination of right to patent after grant
Sections (37.01 - 37.22) last updated: April 2021.
Section 38: Effect of transfer of patent under s.37
Sections (38.01 - 38.10) last updated: April 2021.
Section 39: Right to employees' inventions
Sections (39.01 - 39.13) last updated: April 2021.
Section 40: Compensation of employees for certain inventions
Sections (40.01 - 40.20) last updated: July 2021.
Section 41: Amount of compensation
Sections (41.01 - 41.11) last updated: January 2020.
Section 42: Enforceability of contracts relating to employees' inventions
Sections (42.01 - 42.06) last updated: July 2021.
Section 43: Supplementary
Sections (43.01 - 43.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 44: Avoidance of certain restrictive conditions [repealed with savings]
Sections (44.01 - 44-12) last updated: July 2021.
Section 45: Determination of parts of certain contracts [repealed with savings]
Sections (45.01 - 45.05) last updated: April 2007.
Section 46: Patentee's application for entry in register that licences are available as of right
Sections (46.01 - 46.78.3) last updated: July 2021.
Section 47: Cancellation of entry made under s.46
Sections (47.01 - 47.13) last updated: October 2013.
Section 48: Compulsory licences: general
Section (48.01 - 48.23) last updated: July 2021.
Section 48A: Compulsory licences: WTO proprietors
Sections (48A.01-48A.09) last updated: July 2021.
Section 48B: Compulsory licences: other cases
Sections (48B.01 - 48B.17) last updated: July 2021.
Section 49: Provisions about licences under s.48
Sections (49.01 - 49.07) last updated: July 2021.
Section 50: Exercise of powers on applications under s.48
Sections (50.01 - 50.09) last updated: July 2021.
Section 50A: Powers exercisable following merger and market investigations
Sections (50A.01 - 50A.05) last updated: April 2015.
Section 51: Powers exercisable in consequence of report of Competition and Markets Authority
Sections (51.01 - 51.06) last udpated: April 2015.
Section 52: Opposition, appeal and arbitration
Sections (52.01 - 52.10) last updated: July 2021.
Section 53: Compulsory licences; supplementary provisions
Sections (53.01 - 53.06) last updated: April 2015.
Section 54: Special provisions where patented invention is being worked abroad
Sections (54.01 - 54.04) last updated: April 2007.
Section 55: Use of patented inventions for services of the Crown
Section last updated: July 2021.
Section 56: Interpretation, etc., of provisions about Crown use
Sections (56.01 - 56.04) last updated: April 2020.
Section 57: Rights of third parties in respect of Crown use
Sections (57.01 - 57.02) last updated: April 2007.
Section 57A: Compensation for loss of profit
Sections (57A.01 - 57A.02) last updated: April 2007
Section 58: References of disputes as to Crown use
Sections (58.01 - 58.15) last updated: April 2015.
Section 59: Special provisions as to Crown use during emergency
Sections last updated: April 2007.
Section 60: Meaning of infringement
Sections (60.01 - 60.33) last updated: January 2022.
Section 61: Proceedings for infringement of patent
Sections (61.01 - 61.25) last updated: July 2021.
Section 62: Restrictions on recovery of damages for infringement
Sections (62.01 - 62.13) last updated July 2021.
Section 63: Relief for infringement of partially valid patent
Sections (63.01 - 63.08) last updated July 2021.
Section 64: Right to continue use begun before priority date
Sections (64.01 - 64.06) last update July 2021.
Section 65: Certificate of contested validity of patent
Section (65.04-65.06) last updated July 2021.
Section 66: Proceedings for infringement by a co-owner
Sections (66.01-66.04) last updated April 2007.
Section 67: Proceedings for infringement by exclusive licensee
Sections (67.01 - 67.06) last updated: July 2022.
Section 68: Effect of non-registration on infringement proceedings
Sections (68.01 - 68.08) last updated: July 2021.
Section 69: Infringement of rights conferred by publication of application
Sections (69.01 - 69.08) last updated: July 2022.
Section 70: Threats of infringement proceedings
Sections (70.01 - 70.08) last updated: September 2017.
Section 70A: Actionable threats
Sections (70A.01-70A.08) last updated: July 2021.
Section 70B: Permitted communications
Sections (70B .01-70B.0.06) last updated: September 2017.
Section 70C: Remedies and defences
Section (70C.01-70C.04) last published: September 2017.
Section 70D: Professional advisers
Section (70D.01-70D.05) last published: 2017.
Section 70E: Supplementary: pending registration
Section (70E.01-70E.02) last published: September 2017.
Section 70F: Supplementary: proceedings for delivery up etc
Section (70F-01) last published: 2017
Section 71: Declaration or declarator as to non-infringement
Sections (71.01 - 71.10) last updated: July 2021.
Section 72: Power to revoke patents on application
Sections (72.01 - 72.45) last updated: July 2021.
Section 73: Comptroller's power to revoke patents on his own initiative
Section (73.01 - 73.12) last updated: July 2021.
Section 74: Proceedings in which validity of patent may be put in issue
Sections (74.01 - 74)(8) last updated: July 2021.
Section 74A: Opinions on matters prescribed in the rules
Sections (74A -74A)(6) last updated: July 2021.
Section 74B: Reviews of opinions under section 74A
Sections (74B.01 - 74B.10) last updated: July 2021.
Section 75: Amendment of patent in infringement or revocation proceedings
Sections (75.01 - 75.21.2) last updated: October 2021.
Section 76: Amendments of applications and patents not to include added matter
Sections (76.01 - 76.28) last updated: October 2021.
Section 76A: Biotechnological inventions
Sections (76A.01 - 76A.10) last updated: October 2021.
Section 77: Effect of European patent (UK)
Sections (77.01 - 77.25) last updated April 2021.
Section 78: Effect of filing an application for a European patent (UK)
Sections (78.01 - 78.15) last updated October 2021.
Section 79: Operation of s.78 in relation to certain European patent applications
Sections (79.01 - 79.04) last updated April 2008.
Section 80: Authentic text of European patents and patent applications
Sections (80.01-80.07) last updated April 2009.
Section 81: Conversion of European patent applications
Sections (81.01 - 81.19) last updated October 2021.
Section 82: Jurisdiction to determine questions as to right to a patent
Sections (82.01 - 84.02) last updated October 2021.
Section 83: Effect of patent decisions of competent authorities of other states
Sections (83.01 - 83.05) last updated April 2008.
Section 84: Patent agents and other representatives [Repealed]
Sections (84.01 -84.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 85: European patent attorneys [Repealed]
Sections (85.01 - 85.02) last updated October 2021.
Section 86: Implementation of Community Patent Convention [Repealed]
Sections (86.01 - 86.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 87: Decisions on Community Patent Convention [Repealed]
Sections (87.01 - 87.02) last updated: April 2007.
Section 88: Jurisdiction in legal proceedings in connection with Community Patent Convention [Repealed]
Section (88.01) last updated: April 2007.
Section 88A: Implementation of Agreement on a Unified Patent Court
Sections (88A.01 - 88A.05) last updated: January 2015.
Section 88B: Designation as international organisation of which UK is member
Sections (88B.01 - 88B.03) last updated: April 2015.
Section 89: Effect of international application for patent
Section (89.01 - 89.10) last updated October 2021.
Section 89A: International and national phases of application
Section (89A.01 - 89A.26) last updated: January 2022.
Section 89B: Adaptation of provisions in relation to international application
Sections (89B.01 - 89B.18) updated ~~April~~October 2022.
Section 90: Orders in Council as to convention countries
Sections (90.01 - 90.04) last updated: April 2015.
Section 91: Evidence of conventions and instruments under conventions
Sections (91.01 - 91.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 92: Obtaining evidence for proceedings under the European Patent Convention
Sections (92.01 - 92.08) last updated: July 2015.
Section 93: Enforcement of orders for costs
Sections (93-01 - 93-02) last updated October 2013.
Section 94: Communication of information to the European Patent Office, etc
Sections (94.01 - 94.03) last updated April 2008.
Section 95: Financial provisions
Sections (95.01) last updated April 2007.
Section 96: The Patents Court [Repealed]
Section last updated: July 2012
Section 97: Appeals from the comptroller
Section last updated: October 2021.
Section 98: Proceedings in Scotland
Sections (98.01 - 98.03-1) last updated: April 2008.
Section 99: General powers of the Court
Sections (99.01 - 99.02) last updated ~~April~~October ~~2007.~~2022.
Section 99A: Power of Patents Court to order report
Sections (99A.01 - 99A.04) last updated last updated April 2007.
Section 99B: Power of Court of Session to order report
Sections (99B.01 - 99B.03) last updated April 2007.
Section 100: Burden of proof in certain cases
Sections (100.01 - 100.06) last updated October 2021.
Section 101: Exercise of comptroller's discretionary powers
Sections (101.01 - 101.45) last updated: October 2021.
Section 102: Right of audience, etc., in proceedings before the comptroller
Sections (102.1 - 102.7) last updated: October 2021.
Section 102A: Right of audience, etc., in proceedings on appeal from the comptroller [Repealed]
Sections (102A.01 - 102A.02) last updated: April 2011.
Section 103: Extension of privilege for communications with solicitors relating to patent proceedings
Sections (103.1 - 103.3) last updated: April 2007.
Section 104: Privilege for communications with patent agents relating to patent proceedings [Repealed]
Sections (104.01 - 104.02) last updated: April 2007.
Section 105: Extension of privilege in Scotland for communications relating to patent proceedings
Section last updated: April 2007.
Section 106: Costs and expenses in proceedings before the Court
Sections (106.01 - 106.06) last updated: April 2007.
Section 107: Costs and expenses in proceedings before the comptroller
Sections (107.01 - 107.13) last updated: October 2021.
Section 108: Licences granted by order of comptroller
Section (108.01 - 108.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 109: Falsification of register etc
Sections (109.01 - 109.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 110: Unauthorised claim of patent rights
Sections (110.01 - 110.08) last updated: October 2021.
Section 111: Unauthorised claim that patent has been applied for
Sections (111.01 - 111-07) last updated: October 2021.
Section 112: Misuse of title "Patent Office"
Sections (112.01 - 112.02) last updated: July 2010.
Section 113: Offences by corporations
Sections (113.01 - 113.02) last updated: April 2007.
Section 114: Restrictions on practice as patent agent [Repealed]
Sections (114.01 - 114.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 115: Power of comptroller to refuse to deal with certain agents [Repealed]
Sections (115.01 - 115.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 116: Immunity of department as regards official acts
Section (116.01) last updated: October 2021.
Section 117: Correction of errors in patents and applications
Sections (117.01 - 117.31) last updated: January 2021.
Section 117A: Effect of resuscitating a withdrawn application under section 117
Sections (117A.01 - 117A.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 117B: Extension of time limits specified by comptroller
Sections (117B.01 - 117B.05) last updated: January 2021.
Section 118: Information about patent applications and patents, and inspection of documents
Sections (118.01 - 118.23) last updated: October ~~2021.~~2022.
Section 118A: Copyright in documents made available electronically for inspection under section 118(1) [Repealed]
Sections 118A.01 -118A.02) last updated April 2015.
Section 119: Service by post
Sections (119.01 - 119.08) last updated October 2021.
Section 120: Hours of business and excluded days
Sections (120.01 - 120.08) last updated: January 2019.
Section 121: Comptroller's annual report
Sections (121.01 - 121.02) last updated April 2007.
Section 122: Crown's right to sell forfeited articles
Section last updated: February 2008
Section 123: Rules
Section last updated: October 2021.
Section 124: Rules, regulations and orders; supplementary
Section last updated: April 2007
Section 124A: Use of electronic communications
Section last updated: October 2009
Section 125: Extent of invention
Sections (125.01 - 125.27) last updated: October 2021.
Section 125A: Disclosure of invention by specification: availability of samples of biological material
Sections (125A.01 - 125A.34) last updated October 2021.
Section 126: Stamp duty [repealed]
Sections (126.01 126.02) last updated: April 2009.
Section 127: Existing patents and applications
Sections (127.01 - 127.10) last updated: April 2007
Section 128: Priorities between patents and applications under 1949 Act and this Act [spent]
Section (128.01) last updated: April 2007.
Section 128A: Compulsory pharmaceutical licences
Sections (128A.01 - 128A.08) last updated: January 2021.
Section 128B: Supplementary Protection Certificates
Section (128B.0 - 128B.12) last updated: October 2021.
Section 129: Application of Act to Crown
Sections (129.01) last updated: April 2007.
Section 130: Interpretation
Sections (130.01 - 130.35.1) last updated April 2022.
Section 131: Northern Ireland
Sections (131.01 - 131.03) last updated: April 2007.
Section 131A: Scotland
Sections (131A.01) last updated: April 2007.
Section 132: Short title, extent, commencement, consequential amendments and repeals
Sections (132.01 - 132.11) last updated: October ~~2015.~~2022.
Section 274: Persons permitted to carry on business of a patent agent
Section (274.01 - 274.07) last updated: October 2021.
Section 275: The register of patent attorneys
Section (275.01 - 275.05) last updated: October 2021.
Section 275A: Regulation of patent attorneys
Section (275A.01 - 275A.04) last updated: July 2012
Section 276: Persons entitled to describe themselves as patent agents
Section (276.01 - 276.07) last updated: October 2021.
Section 277: Persons entitled to describe themselves as European patent attorneys, &c
Section (277.01 - 277.04) last updated: October 2021.
Section 278: Use of the term "patent attorney": supplementary provisions
Section (278.01 - 278.03) last updated: April 2007
Section 279: Power to prescribe conditions etc for mixed partnerships and bodies corporate [Repealed]
Section (279.01 - 279.02) last updated: April 2011
Section 280: Privilege for communications with patent agents
Section (280-01 280.05) last updated: October 2021.
Section 281: Power of comptroller to refuse to deal with certain agents
Section last updated (281.01 - 281.05) April 2021.
Section 285: Offences committed by partnerships and bodies corporate
Section (285.01 - 285-05) last updated April 2007.
Section 286: Interpretation
Section (286.01 - 286.05) last updated April 2011.
Section 287: Patents county courts: special jurisdiction [Repealed]
Section (287.01 - 287.03) last updated: October 2021.
Section 288: Financial limits in relation to proceedings within special jurisdiction of patents county court [Repealed]
Section (288.01 - 288.02) last updated April 2014.
Section 290: Limitation of costs where pecuniary claim could have been brought in patents county court [Repealed]
Section (290.01 - 290.02) last updated: October 2021.
Section 291: Proceedings in patents county court [Repealed]
Section (291.01 - 291.03) last updated: October 2021.
Section 292: Rights and duties of registered patent agents in relation to proceedings in patents county court [Repealed]
Section (292.01 - 292.02) last updated April 2011.
Section 293: Restriction of acts authorised by certain licences
Section (293.01) last updated April 2007.
Section 294: When application may be made for settlement of terms of licence [spent]
Section (294.01) last updated April 2007.
Section 295: Patents: miscellaneous amendments
Section (295.01) last updated April 2007
Supplementary Protection Certificates for Medicinal and Plant Protection Products
Section last updated: ~~July~~October 2022.
Regulation (EC) No 1610/96 of the European Parliament and of the council (Plant Protection Products)
Section (SPP0.01 - SPP21.01) last updated: October ~~2021.~~2022.
Citation formats
Section last updated December 2015.
Standard titles for online database names
Section last updated March 2017.

Update history