National Law relating to EPC, II. Filing of European patent applications, United Kingdom
II. Filing of European patent applications
| Contracting state | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
1Applicant can choose between EPO and national authorities (subject to section 2) |
Yes Sect. 23(1), (1A), (2) PA |
2Applications which must be filed with national authorities |
Applications filed or caused to be filed by persons resident in the United Kingdom and which contain information relating to military technology or other information whose publication might be prejudicial to national security or the safety of the public, unless: (a) an application has been filed at the IPO for the same invention not less than six weeks before filing the European patent application outside the United Kingdom and either the comptroller of the IPO has not prohibited the publication of the invention under Section 22 PA or any such prohibition has been revoked, or (b) an application for the same invention was first filed in a country outside the United Kingdom by persons resident abroad, or (c) written authority to file the application outside the United Kingdom has been obtained from the comptroller of the IPO. See www.gov.uk/national-security-checks-on-patent-applications for further information. Sect. 23(1), (1A), (2) PA |
3Languages in which European patent applications must or may be filed with national authorities |
All the languages pursuant to Art. 14(2) EPC |
4Official language(s) |
English |
5Special features |
Applications may be filed online, via the IPO's webfiling service at: www.gov.uk/apply-for-a-patent. Applications may also be filed by email to: Forms@ipo.gov.uk. Details are available from: Applications may also be filed online via EPO Online Services by users who have registered with the IPO. Details are available from: Copies of all forms referred to in the following tables can be obtained from the Newport address given in the left-hand section, and can be downloaded from the website at: |