Summary

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.

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: JanuaryApril 2025.

• Section 1: Patentability

  Sections (1.01 - 1.58) last updated: JanuaryApril 2025.

• Section 2: Novelty

  Sections (2.01 - 2.41) last updated JanuaryApril 2024.2025.

• Section 3: Inventive step

  Sections (3.01 - 3.101) last updated: January 2025.

• 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 January 2025.

• Section 5: Priority date

  Sections (5.01 - 5.32) last updated: JanuaryApril 2024.2025.

• 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: January 2025.

• 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: OctoberApril 2024.2025.

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

  Sections (18.01 - 18.99) last updated: April 2024.2025.

• Section 19: General power to amend application before grant

  Sections (19.01 - 19.26) last updated: October 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: January 2025.

• 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 2025.

• 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 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: JanuaryApril 2025.

• 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.

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