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.
-
Section (0.01 - 1.12) last updated: October 2022.
-
This section details the recent main changes to the manual.
-
Section last updated January 2019.
-
Section last updated:
JulyOctober 2023. -
Sections (1.01 - 1.47) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated October 2022.
-
Sections (3.01 - 3.101) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (4.01 - 4.07.2) last updated January 2019.
-
Section (4A.01 - 4A.31) last updated
JulyOctober2022.2023. -
Sections (5.01 - 5.32) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (6.01 - 6.03) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (7.01 - 7.13) last updated: January 2022.
-
Sections (8.01 - 8.31) last updated: April 2018.
-
Sections (9.01 - 9.04) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (10.01 - 10.10) last updated: October 2019.
-
Section (11.01 - 11.10) last updated: October 2019.
-
Sections (12.01 - 12.16.1) last updated: October 2019.
-
Sections (13.01 - 13.19) last updated: October 2022.
-
Sections (14.01 - 14.209) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (15.01 - 15.58) last updated:
JulyOctober 2023. -
Sections (15A.01 - 15A.26) last updated July 2022.
-
Sections (16.01 - 16.37) Last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (17.01 - 17.123) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (19.01 - 19.26) last updated:
JanuaryOctober 2023. -
Sections (20.01 - 20.10) last updated
JulyOctober 2023. -
Sections (20A.01 - 20A.16) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (20B.01 - 20B.02) last updated: April 2015.
-
Sections (21.01 - 21.26) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (22.01 - 22.29) last updated: April 2022.
-
Sections (23.01 - 23.08) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (24.01 - 24.05) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (25.01 - 25.15) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (26.01 - 26.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (27.01 - 27.33) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (28.01 - 28.18) last updated April 2021.
-
Sections (28A.01 - 28A.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (29.01 - 29.07) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (30.1 - 30.9) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (31.01 - 31.05) last updated April 2007.
-
Section (32.01 - 32.24) last updated: January 2023.
-
Sections (33.01 - 33.06) last updated: January 2021.
-
Sections (34.01 - 34.06) last updated : April 2007.
-
Sections (35.01) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (36.01 - 36.09) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (37.01 - 37.22) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (38.01 - 38.10) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (39.01 - 39.13) last updated: April 2021.
-
Sections (40.01 - 40.20) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (41.01 - 41.11) last updated: January 2020.
-
Sections (42.01 - 42.06) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (43.01 - 43.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (44.01 - 44-12) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (45.01 - 45.05) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (46.01 - 46.78.3) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (47.01 - 47.13) last updated: October 2013.
-
Section (48.01 - 48.23) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (48A.01-48A.09) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (48B.01 - 48B.17) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (49.01 - 49.07) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (50.01 - 50.09) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (50A.01 - 50A.05) last updated: April 2015.
-
Sections (51.01 - 51.06) last udpated: April 2015.
-
Sections (52.01 - 52.10) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (53.01 - 53.06) last updated: April 2015.
-
Sections (54.01 - 54.04) last updated: April 2007.
-
Section last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (56.01 - 56.04) last updated: April 2020.
-
Sections (57.01 - 57.02) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (57A.01 - 57A.02) last updated: April 2007
-
Sections (58.01 - 58.15) last updated: April 2015.
-
Sections last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (60.01 - 60.33) last updated: January 2022.
-
Sections (61.01 - 61.25) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (62.01 - 62.13) last updated July 2021.
-
Sections (63.01 - 63.08) last updated July 2021.
-
Sections (64.01 - 64.06) last update July 2021.
-
Section (65.04-65.06) last updated July 2021.
-
Sections (66.01-66.04) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (67.01 - 67.06) last updated: July 2022.
-
Sections (68.01 - 68.08) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (69.01 - 69.08) last updated: July 2022.
-
Sections (70.01 - 70.08) last updated: September 2017.
-
Sections (70A.01-70A.08) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (70B .01-70B.0.06) last updated: September 2017.
-
Section (70C.01-70C.04) last published: September 2017.
-
Section (70D.01-70D.05) last published: 2017.
-
Section (70E.01-70E.02) last published: September 2017.
-
Section (70F-01) last published: 2017
-
Sections (71.01 - 71.10) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (72.01 - 72.45) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Section (73.01 - 73.12) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (74.01 - 74)(8) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (74A -74A)(6) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (74B.01 - 74B.10) last updated: July 2021.
-
Sections (75.01 - 75.21.2) last updated: April 2023.
-
Sections (76.01 - 76.28) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (76A.01 - 76A.10) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (77.01 - 77.25) last updated
JulyOctober 2023. -
Sections (78.01 - 78.15) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (79.01 - 79.04) last updated April 2008.
-
Sections (80.01-80.07) last updated April 2009.
-
Sections (81.01 - 81.19) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (82.01 - 84.02) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (83.01 - 83.05) last updated April 2008.
-
Sections (84.01 -84.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (85.01 - 85.02) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (86.01 - 86.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
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.
-
Sections (88A.01 - 88A.05) last updated: January 2015.
-
Sections (88B.01 - 88B.03) last updated: April 2015.
-
Section (89.01 - 89.10) last updated
JanuaryOctober 2023. -
Section (89A.01 - 89A.26) last updated: January 2023.
-
Sections (89B.01 - 89B.18) updated January 2023.
-
Sections (90.01 - 90.04) last updated: April 2015.
-
Sections (91.01 - 91.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (92.01 - 92.08) last updated: July 2015.
-
Sections (93-01 - 93-02) last updated October 2013.
-
Sections (94.01 - 94.03) last updated April 2008.
-
Sections (95.01) last updated April 2007.
-
Section last updated: July 2012
-
Section last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (98.01 - 98.03-1) last updated: April 2008.
-
Sections (99.01 - 99.02) last updated October 2022.
-
Sections (99A.01 - 99A.04) last updated last updated January 2023.
-
Sections (99B.01 - 99B.03) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (100.01 - 100.06) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (101.01 - 101.45) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (102.1 - 102.7) last updated: October 2021.
-
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 last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (106.01 - 106.06) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (107.01 - 107.13) last updated: October 2021.
-
Section (108.01 - 108.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (109.01 - 109.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (110.01 - 110.08) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (111.01 - 111-07) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (112.01 - 112.02) last updated: July 2010.
-
Sections (113.01 - 113.02) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (114.01 - 114.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (115.01 - 115.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Section (116.01) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (117.01 - 117.31) last updated:
AprilOctober 2023. -
Sections (117A.01 - 117A.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Sections (117B.01 - 117B.05) last updated: January 2021.
-
Sections (118.01 - 118.23) last updated: January 2023.
-
Section 118A: Copyright in documents made available electronically for inspection under section 118(1) [Repealed]
Sections 118A.01 -118A.02) last updated April 2015.
-
Sections (119.01 - 119.08) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (120.01 - 120.08) last updated: January 2023.
-
Sections (121.01 - 121.02) last updated April 2007.
-
Section last updated: February 2008
-
Section last updated: July 2023.
-
Section last updated: April 2007
-
Section last updated: October 2009
-
Sections (125.01 - 125.27) last updated: April 2023.
-
Section 125A: Disclosure of invention by specification: availability of samples of biological material
Sections (125A.01 - 125A.34) last updated October 2021.
-
Sections (126.01 126.02) last updated: April 2009.
-
Sections (127.01 - 127.10) last updated: April 2007
-
Section (128.01) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (128A.01 - 128A.08) last updated: January 2021.
-
Section (128B.0 - 128B.12) last updated: October 2021.
-
Sections (129.01) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (130.01 - 130.35.1) last updated:
JanuaryOctober 2023. -
Sections (131.01 - 131.03) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (131A.01) last updated: April 2007.
-
Sections (132.01 - 132.11) last updated: October 2022.
-
Section (274.01 - 274.07) last updated: October 2021.
-
Section (275.01 - 275.05) last updated: October 2021.
-
Section (275A.01 - 275A.04) last updated: July 2012
-
Section (276.01 - 276.07) last updated: October 2021.
-
Section (277.01 - 277.04) last updated: October 2021.
-
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 (280-01 280.05) last updated: October 2021.
-
Section last updated (281.01 - 281.05) April 2021.
-
Section (285.01 - 285-05) last updated April 2007.
-
Section (286.01 - 286.05) last updated April 2011.
-
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 (291.01 - 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 (293.01) last updated April 2007.
-
Section (294.01) last updated April 2007.
-
Section (295.01) last updated April 2007
-
Section last updated: July 2023.
-
Regulation (EC) No 1610/96 of the European Parliament and of the council (Plant Protection Products)
Section (SPP0.01 - SPP21.01) last updated: October 2022.
-
Section last updated December 2015.
-
Section last updated March 2017.