Annual Technical Report on Industrial Design Information Activities in 2025 submitted by United Kingdom

I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of industrial design information activities and expected time frames for their realization 

Following the launch of UK Government’s designs consultation, which sought stakeholder’s views on a significant programme of reform to the UK’s design protection framework, we are considering the consultation responses and aiming to publish a government response in the summer later this year which will set out our next steps.

We publish our Customer Quality Standard (CQS) performance on the Customer Service Standards page of the IPO website IPO customer service standards - GOV.UK. For the 2025–26 financial year, Designs achieved an overall quality score of 98%.

The inclusion of customer perspectives within the quality assessment approach has been considered, however we are currently not in a position to do this as design examination documentation is not published externally and is subject to data protection and confidentiality considerations. We continue to evaluate our approach to ensure we maintain a high quality of service for our customers.

In 2025 the office recruited 9 Design examiners to respond to customer demand and maintain service standards. 

Work continues in preparation for transformation in designs.  

New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies(plans) mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks 

The transformation of our IT programme for Designs will now come after the transformation of our trade marks service.

Our new Research IP service launched in January 2025 for patents making our data more accessible than ever before with new ways to search, view and analyse it.

Main areas of industrial design information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year 

We made further updates to the application route to improve the support available to applicants. This included adding an additional view to the “How to file your illustrations” guidance and checking the Welsh version to ensure it is fully accessible and available.

Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes 

Domestic Designs Applications  

International Designs Applications  

Designs Registered  

Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc. 

Statistics related to Industrial Designs at the Intellectual Property Office can be accessed through the annual reports, annual reviews and facts and figures at: Research and statistics - GOV.UK 

II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Information and support provided by the Office to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) - URLs 

Information regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing can be found at: Register a design: Send your application - GOV.UK  

Availability of the application dossier in electronic form 

Registered designs can be searched by design number or owner name at: Register a design: Overview - GOV.UK  

Registered designs can also be searched by other methods such as classification at: DSView

Classification and reclassification activities; classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification 

Designs are classified using the Locarno Classification system.  The classification is completed internally by the Designs examiners.   

Other activities 

The IPO is an active participant in WIPO’s Standing Committee on the Law of Trade Marks, Industrial Designs & Geographical Indications and meets with other participating offices at WIPO during Hague Working Group. 

The UKIPO is a member of Locarno and meets bi-annually with other members of the Locarno Committee of Experts meetings. 

III. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE

Main types of publications in the field of industrial design information, outline of the content (industrial design applications, design patents, registrations, etc.) and medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs) 

The Registered Designs Act 1949 makes up part of the Designs legislation in the UK: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/737827/Registered_Designs_Act_1949.pdf  

The Registered Designs Rules 2006 as amended: The Registered Designs Rules 2006 (as amended) and The Registered Designs (Fees) Rules 2016 

Registered Designs Examination Practice sets out guidance on the Intellectual Property Office work practices: Registered Designs Examination Practice - GOV.UK  

Designs Practice Notices (DPNs) announces changes to our practice, such as how we interpret a provision of the law, or how we handle applications:  
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/designs-practice-notices  

Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc. 

The designs journal is published daily in digital form and contains details of all designs that have been registered and published: https://www.gov.uk/check-the-design-journal  

Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases 

Examiner use the Registered Designs Examination practice guidance, Registered Designs Examination Practice guide - Guidance - GOV.UK, the Registered Designs Act 1949, the Registered Designs Rules 2006, and case law.  They also liaise with Patent Examiners if the design is of a technical nature. 

Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.) 

Our main office is located in Newport, Wales, where the public can file applications and discuss possible IP protection with an IPO Advisor over the phone or in person via appointment. 

Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.) 

The legal status is contained on the journal and may be searched by design number: https://www.gov.uk/search-registered-design  

IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE

Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements 

The UKIPO uses an internal system for checking if any priority claims declared are exact copies of the filing submitted to the earlier country, if they are not exact copies we ask the customer to supply a copy; it also contains a copy of the images pre-conversion into our processing system for reference.  This application is for internal use only and for domestic applications only. 

Real Time Sampling Dashboard – this collates the results from our quality checks and supports in highlighting any trends relating to quality. 

Knowledge Information Board (KIB) – we have recently reviewed all the information we held internally on our SharePoint and moved it to a KIB, which is a more user-friendly system and allows our staff to access all the information they need to support trade mark related activities. 

The office has the licenced version of Co-pilot available to staff as an AI tool to aid them in their roles.

Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office 

Staff access a Windows 11 desktop via Microsoft Surface Pro devices. For display setups, 24-inch monitors are connected via a dock, while 32-inch monitors connect directly using a USB-C cable and do not require a dock.

Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources 

DEPS - Database used to process designs applications. 

KIB – knowledge information base used to support designs related activities.  

Share Point – information to support designs related activities.   

Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file 

Registered designs are published overnight. 

Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support) 

Management information is produced from DEPS. 

Other matters 

We continue work on our Transformation programme. This will include a significant change to our ICT and will improve things for the future. More details about the changes will emerge as we begin the discovery stage of the programme, but we know that it will move designs onto the same platform as our patents service and external users will be able to manage their portfolio of UK rights in a user area. 

V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

Office's library (if deals with industrial design information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign libraries 

The UK Patent Library (PatLib) network is part of the 340-strong European Network of Patent Information Centres, managed by the European Patent Office.  

The UK PATLIB Network’s main aims are: -  

• To enable easy access to IP information locally,  

• To provide an effective, efficient IP information service to the general public and businesses.   

The UK IPO supports the UK Patlib Network who provide local access to guidance and support through a network of 25 centres based within city centre libraries. The centres have trained, experienced staff to provide practical support to businesses, such as database searching. A recent evaluation of the centres demonstrated that they had supported 48,725 people in 2022/23, providing IP information guidance and support to new prestart, start-up and growing businesses.  

The majority of the UK PatLibs are part of the national network of Business & IP Centres (BIPC), which was started by the British Library in 2012 in partnership with the IPO.  The network now consists of 21 established centres, located across England and Scotland. The UK IPO works with the British Library to ensure all centres meet the PatLib requirements to deliver specialised IP services.    

In the three-year period, April 2020 to March 2023, the BIPC supported a total of 62,876 individuals, through a combination of 17,831 in-person and online one-to-ones, 4,314 workshops or webinars and 1,121 in-person, online or hybrid events.  

In addition, BIPC Network staff responded to 51,591 business enquiries, providing aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners with key information.

Training to deliver these services has been supplied by the IPO through the IP Master Class programme as well as ongoing individual training sessions as needed.  

Publications related to different business procedures and industrial design information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc. 

Our main office is located in Newport, Wales, where the public can file applications and discuss possible IP protection with an IPO Advisor over the phone or in person via appointment. 

Information regarding designs procedures can be found via our website www.ipo.gov.uk. 

Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centres, etc. 

The IPO works with universities, researchers and entrepreneurs to improve understanding how to identify, manage, protect, and use IP to support careers, research, business, commercialisation, and collaboration.  This includes the:  

• IP Tutor and IP Tutor Plus resources targeting key subject disciplines, with independent and trainer-led resources for students, academics, and educators.    

• IP for Research education programme to help researchers understand how IP fits into their research and the commercialisation process.   

We are currently working with the sector to update our Intellectual Asset Management guidance to help university leaders and researchers make informed decisions about their IP. This supports UK government’s goal of ensuring that research excellence translates into effective industrial and commercial application.   

The IPO’s resources are comprehensive and available in formats that can be tailored to specific needs. All our tools and guidance to support innovation and knowledge exchange are freely available at: Welcome to IPO’s online support tools. These have been designed to help you: | Intellectual Property Office 

Education and training: training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc. 

As the innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs of today and tomorrow, it is vital that students learn how to identify, use, and protect their IP as well as respect others' IP.  We have a comprehensive strategy to build the IP critical skills needed to support careers, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. We believe it is important to educate people about IP across all levels and stages of education.  We want students to start their careers equipped with an understanding of IP and for educators to have the skills to pass on that knowledge.    

We have developed an IP Education Framework that sets out the IP knowledge needed across all levels and stages of education, from primary schools to higher education. To support use of the Framework, we produce and promote accessible, engaging resources for teachers to incorporate IP in core syllabus subjects. These free, curriculum-led lesson plans and resources have been co-created with educators and partners such as UK Music and the Industry Trust, to ensure they align with the school curriculum. Our education resources are available on our IP-Support Website at www.ipo.gov.uk/ip-support. This site has global reach with around 31,000 site visits each year.   

We also work with international partners to promote the importance of IP education and exchange information on our respective approaches. We recently proposed a project to WIPO members on enhancing IP education capacities of artistic and creative academic institutions to equip youth with IP skills. The project was adopted on 1 May.   

Our business outreach activities continue to help businesses make informed decisions how to use, manage, and enforce their IP to its full potential.  This is done in a range of ways including attending in person and virtual events, delivering training and working with partner organisations to integrate IP support into business support programmes.  We also provide IP Masterclass training for businesses and business advisors. Courses are offered online, in person at the IPO’s main office and in regional locations. The Designs section of the course focuses on the application process and explains how having a registered design can benefit businesses.  

We have also developed a range of digital tools for businesses.  By adopting a ‘digital first’ approach we can increase the scope and reach of our tools to a diverse and global audience. IP: Business tools and training - GOV.UK 

In addition, the UK government is taking steps to support public sector understanding of IP and wider knowledge assets to inform government policy making and the management of public sector assets. The UK IPO is developing targeted government IP education programs to help upskill public sector workers and promote an understanding and appreciation of the importance of IP and IP rights to the innovation ecosystem. We have launched the IP for Government eLearning on the IPO’s website here: Welcome to IPO’s online support tools. These have been designed to help you: | Intellectual Property Office 

Other activities 

We have a range of digital content which we use to promote and explain the different types of Intellectual property IP BASICS: What is Intellectual Property? - YouTube. We use our social media channels to promote this content.   

VI.INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes) 

DEPS release for processing of Hague IR designs, this architecture uses IBM MQ/Middleware.  

Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to industrial design information 

The IPO is an active participant in WIPO’s Standing Committee on the Law of Industrial Designs, Trade Marks and Geographical Indications and meets with other participating offices at WIPO during Hague Working Group. 

Other activities 

The IPO provide reports to World Trade Organisation on TRIPS Agreement, TRIPS responses details work done with other offices and relate to all areas of IP, reporting on activities around technology transfer and technical cooperation. 

VII. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WIPO STANDARDS CONCERNING INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION

WIPO Standard ST.2:  Standard manner for designating calendar dates by using the Gregorian calendar

Fully implemented.

WIPO Standard ST.3: Two-letter codes for the representation of states, other entities and organizations

No plan to implement.

The IPO expects this to be reviewed as part of the Transformation programme.  

WIPO Standard ST.13: Numbering of applications for IPRs

No plan to implement.

WIPO Standard ST.80: Bibliographic data relating to industrial designs

No plan to implement.

WIPO Standard ST.81: Content and layout of industrial designs gazettes

Planning to implement. 

The UKIPO are currently undergoing a Transformation programme, and we are planning to implement ST.81 as part of this. 

WIPO Standard ST.86: Processing of industrial design information using XML

No plan to implement.

WIPO Standard ST.87: The exchange of industrial design legal status data 

Planning to implement. 

The UKIPO are currently undergoing a Transformation programme, and we are planning to implement ST.81 as part of this. 

WIPO Standard ST.88: Electronic representation of industrial designs

No plan to implement.

The IPO expects this to be reviewed as part of the Transformation programme.  

WIPO Standard ST.90: Recommendation for processing and communicating Intellectual Property data using Web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

Planning to implement. 

The UKIPO are currently undergoing a Transformation programme, and we are planning to implement ST.90 as part of this. 

WIPO Standard ST.91: Recommendations on digital three-dimensional (3D) models and 3D images

No plan to implement.

The IPO expects this to be reviewed as part of the Transformation programme.  

WIPO Standard ST.92:  Recommendations on the data package format for the electronic exchange of priority documents

On assessment phase.

The UK IPO is currently undergoing a Transformation Programme. As part of this, the implementation of this standard, including the use of the Digital Access Service (DAS), is currently under review for Trade marks and Designs.

WIPO Standard ST.96: Processing of Industrial Property information using XML

Implemented.

The UKIPO only process new registrations. However, this will be reviewed as part of Transformation. 

WIPO Standard ST.97:  Recommendation for processing of intellectual property data using JSON

No plan to implement.