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Patent Organisations / Offices (National and International)
International Patent Organisations
European Patent Office (EPO)
The European Patent Office(EPO) offers inventors a uniform application procedure which enables them to seek patent protection in 40 European countries. Supports innovation, competitiveness and economic growth through a commitment to high quality and efficient services under the European Patent Convention.
European Unitary Patent
From 2019 European Unitary Patents will make possible patent protection by submitting only one single request to the EPO. After a European Patent is granted, the patent proprietor will be able to request unitary effect which provides uniform patent protection in those EU Member State that have ratified the UPC agreement.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency dedicated to the use of intellectual property (patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, etc.) as a means of stimulating innovation and creativity.
National Patent Offices
Australia. IP Australia
IP Australia administer IP rights and legislation relating to patents, trade marks, designs and plant breeder's rights. AusPat is IP Australia's comprehensive search system for information on Australian patents.
Canada. Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)
The Patent Office is a part of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and is an agency of Industry Canada. CIPO is also responsible for most other intellectual property rights including trademarks, copyright, industrial designs and integrated circuit topographies.
China , People's Republic of (PRC). National Intellectual Property Association (CNIPA)
SIPO is responsible for organizing and coordinating IP, patent laws, regulations, and implementing the Compendium on China National IP Strategy with related departments. The CNIPA is the authority to receive and examine patent applications for invention, utility model and design.
Germany. German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)
The German Patent and Trade Mark Office(DPMA) is the centre of expertise in the field of industrial property protection in Germany. They examine inventions, grant patents, register trade marks, utility models and designs, administer IP rights and provide IP information to the public.
Japan Patent Office (JPO)
The industrial property rights system is designed to protect intellectual creations, such as inventions, designs and trademarks, to ensure their effective use, and to contribute to industrial development. Administered by the JPO, it is important for Japan in its quest to promote the progress of industrial technology.
Korea. Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO)
The Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) is a free search service for patents, design and trademarks.
New Zealand. Intellectual Property Office (IPONZ)
IPONZ grant and register IP rights in New Zealand and includes trademarks, patents, designs and plant variety rights. They operate within the business unit of the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment(MBIE).
Sweden
PRV is the authority for intellectual property in Sweden. They are a Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international patent authority.
United Kingdom. Intellectual Property Office (IPO) - Patents
The IPO is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trade marks and copyright. IPO is sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
United States. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
A patent is an intellectual property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States” for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
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