UK IPO awarded quality certificate for trade mark work

As of the 18^th February 2016, the UK Intellectual Property Office’s Trade Mark and Designs division has been awarded the International Organisation for Standardisation Quality certificate as certification of its trade mark application process.

The award covers the whole process from the payment of fees to the registration of a mark which includes the mark’s examination and any dealings with opposition.

Announcing the achievement of this certificate on their website, the UK IPO states that by achieving this certificate, it underpins their goal to deliver high quality rights and guidance.

This certificate adds to one already achieved in February 2003 for the UK IPO’s services in relation to the granting of patents.

They state their aim is to achieve quality assurance for all areas in which they do work including further areas in relation to trade marks as such international trade mark applications and the resolution of trade mark invalidity and revocation cases.

The certificate was given at a first attempt by the British Standards Institute who are the UK Intellectual Property Office’s accreditors.

A copy of the certificate can be found on their website which is https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office

By Ellis Sweetenham