Observations about patentability

If you think that a patent application relates to an invention which is not new or is not patentable for some other reason, then you can provide us with observations and we will take these into account when we decide whether to grant a patent.

You can only file observations after we have published a patent application and before we grant it. It is recommended that you file any observations within three months after the application has been published, as we may grant a patent after this period.

Find published patent applications

You can view published United Kingdom (UK) patent applications using our databases, or inspect the file by appointment at our offices in Newport or London - contact us.

The numbers of recently published patent applications appear in the Patents Journal.

Before making observations

You should check your observations have not already been raised, by checking the search report and file of the application for observations and other comments. Check your observations are new.

Make observations

What happens next?

If you have given us your name and address, we will write to let you know that we have received your observations.

We will add your observations to the file for the patent, which is available to the public and on our website, and we will send a copy to the applicant.

We will consider your observations when we decide whether to grant the patent. If we make objections based on your observations, the patent applicant may respond to the arguments. You cannot be involved in discussion between the examiner and the applicant, even if they relate to your observations.