The UK Intellectual Property Office

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), an operating name of the Patent Office, is the official government body responsible for granting intellectual property rights in the UK.

These rights include copyright, designs, patents and trade marks.

The good guys

UK-IPO supports innovation in a number of ways, for example:

  • By providing legal protection
  • By helping to ensure that rights are enforced
  • By promoting the benefits of intellectual property (IP)
  • By keeping IP law and policy up to date

This encourages people to spend time and money developing their inventions, which facilitates the growth of industry and commerce, which in turn has an impact on the overall performance of the UK economy. So this is important stuff.

The fakes and pirates

IP crimes include counterfeiting (such as fake Manchester United football shirts) and piracy (such as bootleg DVDs). Whilst the UK-IPO is not a prosecuting authority, it is currently widening its role in helping to combat IP crime.

For more information visit: www.ipo.gov.uk