On 7 September 2025, Kanishka Narayan MP was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, taking on ministerial responsibility for intellectual property.
Welcoming the appointment, IPO CEO Adam Williams said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Minister Narayan to the role. The UK’s intellectual property system is globally recognised for its strength and impact, and IP continues to be a vital driver of innovation and economic growth. I look forward to working together to ensure the UK remains a world leader in protecting and commercialising brilliant ideas.”

Minister Narayan’s appointment signals continued government commitment to fostering creativity, innovation, and commercial success through a robust IP framework.

More information here –  New minister appointed with responsibility for intellectual property – GOV.UK

From the 1st October 2025, the European Patent Office (EPO) will allow colour and greyscale drawings in electronically filed patent applications. This update supports the EPO’s modernization goals and enhances the clarity of technical disclosures.

Key points:

• Drawings will be published in their original format, improving visual representation of inventions.
• Submissions must meet specific technical standards, ensuring clarity and detail.
• The change is part of the EPO’s broader push for fully digital processing and publication.

More information can be found here –  OJ EPO 2025, A57 – Notice from the European Patent Office dated 5 September 2025 concerning drawings in colour and greyscale

The UK government has unveiled a new initiative to help up to 500 small and medium-sized enterprises protect their intellectual property from growing security threats, including cyberattacks and espionage by hostile state actors. Backed by £2,500 in government funding per company, the Secure Innovation Security Reviews will offer expert-led assessments and tailored advice to firms in high-risk sectors such as AI, life sciences, and renewable energy. Delivered through Innovate UK and supported by the National Cyber Security Centre and National Protective Security Authority, the scheme aims to boost resilience, investor confidence, and long-term growth.

More information can be found here – New backing for small businesses to protect their intellectual property from security threats – GOV.UK

The UK government has decided to retain the UK+ exhaustion regime, which allows parallel importation of goods from the European Economic Area (EEA) into the UK without requiring the IP rights holder’s permission. This decision provides stability for businesses and supports innovation.

The consultation gathered views from businesses, organizations, and individuals across various sectors, assessing four options: the UK+ regime, national exhaustion, international exhaustion, and mixed exhaustion. Most respondents supported retaining the UK+ regime.

Reason for Decision: The government found no strong quantitative evidence to support changing the current system. The UK+ regime effectively balances competition, consumer choice, and protection of IP rights, ensuring fair access to goods while fostering economic growth.

Rejected Alternatives:

National exhaustion was deemed incompatible with international agreements, particularly the Windsor Framework.

International exhaustion was considered theoretically beneficial for competition but lacked evidence that it would lower prices or benefit consumers.

Mixed exhaustion would create a high regulatory burden and was not widely supported.

Impact on Businesses: Maintaining the UK+ regime avoids disruption and transition costs, allowing businesses to continue operating without changes to their supply chains or contracts.

Overall, the decision aims to balance innovation, market competition, and consumer access while preserving confidence in the UK’s intellectual property framework. For more information please see this page – Government response to the consultation on the UK’s future exhaustion of intellectual property rights regime – GOV.UK

The IPO have issued a warning and advice over a recent spate of misleading invoices sent to trademark owners.

Misleading invoices are unsolicited or fraudulent requests for payment, often targeting trademark owners with high-cost services like renewal monitoring or “publication” in international registers. These organizations are not affiliated with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and operate across borders, making enforcement difficult. To protect yourself, do not pay them. If you’re unsure, send a copy to misleadinginvoices@ipo.gov.uk, report them to Action Fraud, or notify your local Trading Standards office. Examples of scam companies include names such as EUIPD, EIPA, and IPTMR, though they often change names.

More information can be found here – Avoiding misleading payment requests – GOV.UK