New patent search tool to boost UK innovation as part of major digital transformation

A new online search tool for UK patents launched in January 2024 will make it easier for businesses and innovators to search and access patent information, supporting UK growth and innovation.

One IPO Search, developed by the Intellectual Property Office (‘IPO’), replaces the previous Ipsum service, which has served UK innovators well for 13 years – handling approximately 200,000 patent searches in the past 12 months alone.

The new service offers enhanced features to help IP professionals and the public search for UK patents more easily. It represents a ‘generational leap’ which will transform how customers can search for and discover patents, opening up the IPO’s data to all UK citizens.

Its launch marks a significant milestone in the IPO’s ambitious ‘One IPO’ transformation programme – a comprehensive modernisation of UK intellectual property services. In addition to One IPO Search, the transformation programme will deliver a suite of new digital services in the second half of 2025, including streamlined patent applications services and innovative customer account management systems.

Key features

One IPO Search offers:

flexible searching by application number, keywords, classification and grant dates;
online access to Supplementary Protection Certificates dating back to 2017;
visual data analysis through charts and graphs;
patent trend analysis and statistics; and
customisable patent journal creation – based on date ranges and own search criteria.

Positive early feedback

Early testing has shown strong results, with 82% of users agreeing the service met their needs and 86% saying they found it easy to use.

Users from across the business and IP community have welcomed the improvements:

‘I think this service is excellent and much-needed, so thank you for all of your efforts in creating it,’ said Iain Russell from Russell IP.
Philip Cupitt of Marks & Clerk noted: ‘Overall, this is a huge improvement on Ipsum.’
For small business users like Claire Lingard-McKay from Wiltshire Green Woolies, the service is ‘well designed and responsive’.

Future developments

Several additional features will be coming to One IPO Search in the future, including:

saved searches and patent notifications (2025);
AI-assisted searching;
integrated trade mark and design searches (2026); and
new APIs for bulk data access.

Minister for Intellectual Property Feryal Clark said: ‘Just days after setting out a bold vision for a modern digital government, this new tool underscores our commitment to make it easier than ever before for users to interact with our digital services – seamlessly accessing the information they need to drive growth and innovation. Through One IPO Search, users will have access to all the information they need in a single, easy to use platform – modernising an outdated system which will support our innovators to do what they do best for years to come.’

Andy Bartlett, IPO Deputy Chief Executive said: ‘The launch of One IPO Search is a major milestone for our digital transformation. This new search tool is a generational leap forwards from what came before and offers the easiest and most accessible way to search for UK patents. As we prepare to launch the rest of our new digital patent services, I hope this gives a great first impression of what can be expected.’

CIPA President Dr Bobby Mukherjee said: ‘It is great to see the first of IPO’s new digital patents services launch. Search IP is a significant step forward over the previous Ipsum service and should help patent attorneys and businesses alike find information about patents more easily.’

Tara Gillam, Innovate UK Business Growth said: ‘For start-ups and more established businesses alike, understanding the patent landscape is crucial but can be time-consuming and complex. The new IPO Search tool will help remove such barriers, putting vital information at innovators’ fingertips. By making it easier to access and understand existing patent information, companies can better identify opportunities, make more informed decisions about their R&D investments and better understand and protect their intellectual property. This is exactly the kind of practical support that can help British businesses move from idea to market more quickly and confidently when looking to innovate and grow.’

The search service can be found at www.gov.uk/search-for-patent.

The journal service can be found at www.gov.uk/check-the-patents-journal.

A video highlighting key features for the new service can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG3e2VkJWuA.

IPO update

Journal