Ask the Patent Office for an expert opinion

A The Patent Office product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 3, 2005

The Patent Office has launched its new opinions service - a ground-breaking procedure that allows anyone to ask the Patent Office for an expert opinion on an issue of patent infringement or validity.

The Patent Office has launched its new opinions service - a ground-breaking procedure that allows anyone to ask the Patent Office for an expert opinion on an issue of patent infringement or validity.

The service is designed to help businesses or individuals who are (or may become) involved in a dispute over patents - giving them a basis for negotiation.

Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Technology said: "The opinions service from the Patent Office is an important new tool for innovative businesses - both large and small".

"It is one way in which the Patents Act 2004 delivers on its promise to support such businesses and improve mechanisms for patent enforcement".

Sean Dennehey, Director of Patents said: "I am delighted to be offering this innovative new service - it is a genuine first for the UK Patent Office".

"It provides a quick, low-cost option for parties who wish to have an impartial assessment of the issues involved in a dispute".

"I'm also very pleased that our users have played such a constructive part in shaping the procedures".

This new service will help parties test the strength of their arguments at the Patent Office before (or instead of) resorting to expensive litigation.

It is designed so that both sides of a dispute can have their say before the opinion is issued.

During the spring the Patent Office consulted with a wide spectrum of users of the patents system on the detailed procedures of the new service.

The new opinions service is a key feature of the Patents Act 2004, which modernises and improves patent law.

The Act makes changes needed to bring our patents legislation into line with the revised European Patent Convention (EPC 2000), as well as introducing a variety of changes intended to help patentees enforce their rights and to modernise the patent system.

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