The IPO or not the IPO that is the question
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The IPO or not the IPO that is the question
We are pleased to hear that the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched legal action against a number of different individuals and organisations passing themselves off as the IPO (or connected with it). These organisations have been issuing official looking ‘renewal’ notices to holders of UK registered patents, designs and trade marks offering to renew the rights for fees greatly in excess of the official renewal fees. We know that some of our clients have received these invoices and have asked us to verify their authenticity.
We have raised the issue with the IPO, as we assume other IP professionals have done and the IPO felt it was necessary to take appropriate action given the evidence that clients were possibly being misled or confused and that damage is being caused to the IPO’s reputation as a result.
Settlement has been reached with two of the parties concerned, which includes substantial payment to the IPO to cover their legal costs. However, we are left to wonder about those people who have been induced to pay these faux renewal fees. The fees were low enough to ensure it was economically viable for them to commence their own legal action to recover the sums paid. We wonder if we will see a class action on the basis of a fraudulent or negligent representation.
As always, we are happy to verify any invoices that our client’s may receive which claim to request money for registrations or renewals of UK registered patents, trade marks and designs. Remember that if we have filed these rights on your behalf, we are your agent on record and all such notifications for renewals or registration should come directly to us and not to you.