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

Contents

• Manual of Patent Practice Introduction

  Section (0.01 - 1.12) last updated: October 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: AprilOctober 2024.

• Section 1: Patentability

  Sections (1.01 - 1.47) last updated: January2024.October 2024.

• Section 2: Novelty

  Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated January 2024.

• Section 3: Inventive step

  Sections (3.01 - 3.101) last updated: April 2024.

• Section 4: Industrial application

  Sections (4.01 - 4.07.2) last updated January 2024.

• Section 4A: Methods of treatment or diagnosis

  Section (4A.01 - 4A.31) last updated October 2023.

• Section 5: Priority date

  Sections (5.01 - 5.32) last updated: January 2024.

• Section 6: Disclosure of matter, etc, between earlier and later applications

  Sections (6.01 - 6.03) last updated January 2024.

• Section 7: Right to apply for and obtain a patent

  Sections (7.01 - 7.13) last updated: April 2024.

• Section 8: Determination before grant of questions about entitlement to patents etc

  Sections (8.01 - 8.31) last updated: January 2024.

• 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: January 2024.

• 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: January 2024.

• Section 13: Mention of inventor

  Sections (13.01 - 13.19) last updated: April 2024.

• Section 14: The application

  Sections (14.01 - 14.209) last updated: AprilOctober 2024.

• Section 15: Date of filing application

  Sections (15.01 - 15.58) last updated: April 2024.

• 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: October 2023.

• Section 17: Search

  Sections (17.01 - 17.123) last updated: JanuaryOctober 2024.

• Section 18: Substantive examination and grant or refusal of patent

  Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated: April 2024.

• Section 19: General power to amend application before grant

  Sections (19.01 - 19.26) last updated: October 2023.2024.

• Section 20: Failure of application

  Sections (20.01 - 20.10) last updated April 2024.

• 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: April 2023.

• 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 2023.

• 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 2023.

• 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 2023.

• 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 2023.

• 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: April 2023.

• 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 2024.

• 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: October 2023.

• Section 73: Comptroller's power to revoke patents on his own initiative

  Section (73.01 - 73.12) last updated: October 2023.2024.

• 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: April 2023.

• Section 76: Amendments of applications and patents not to include added matter

  Sections (76.01 - 76.28) last updated: April 2024.

• Section 76A: Biotechnological inventions

  Sections (76A.01 - 76A.10) last updated: January 2024.

• Section 77: Effect of European patent (UK)

  Sections (77.01 - 77.25) last updated October 2023.

• 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 2023.

• Section 89A: International and national phases of application

  Section (89A.01 - 89A.26) last updated: January 2023.

• Section 89B: Adaptation of provisions in relation to international application

  Sections (89B.01 - 89B.18) updated January 2023.

• 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 October 2022.

• Section 99A: Power of Patents Court to order report

  Sections (99A.01 - 99A.04) last updated last updated January 2023.

• 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: October 2023.

• 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: 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.

• 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 2023.

• 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: AprilOctober 2024.

• 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: April 2023.

• 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 2024.

• Section 128B: Supplementary Protection Certificates

  Section (128B.0 - 128B.12) last updated: January 2024.

• 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: July 2024.

• 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 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: April 2024.

• 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.

• Citation formats

  Section last updated December 2015.

• Standard titles for online database names

  Section last updated January 2024.