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UK patent office revamps search tool, plans API

UK patent office revamps search tool, plans API

Business news |
By Nick Flaherty



The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a new online search tool for its patents and has plans for AI search and an API.

One IPO Search replaces the previous Ipsum service which handled approximately 200,000 patent searches in the last 12 months.   

The new service is part of a digitalisation programme that will see additional digital services in the second half of 2025, including streamlined patent applications services and revamped customer account management systems. 

The new service makes UK patent searching more accessible through simple keyword searching to find relevant patents by describing your product or technology in everyday language, although it does not pull up the individual patents. It also does not support Boolean search with OR, AND and NOT modifiers.

The tool does include visual data analysis to spot market trends without needing specialist knowledge and the IPO says the interface is designed to navigate patent information without requiring technical expertise. 

“For start-ups and more established businesses alike, understanding the patent landscape is crucial but can be time-consuming and complex. The new IPO Search tool will help remove such barriers, putting vital information at innovators’ fingertips,” said Tara Gillam, Innovate UK Business Growth.

“By making it easier to access and understand existing patent information, companies can better identify opportunities, make more informed decisions about their R&D investments and better understand and protect their intellectual property,” she said.

The IPO says early testing has shown strong results, with 82% of users agreeing the service met their needs and 86% saying they found it easy to use, although the supporting comments come from patent lawyers.

Several additional features will be coming to One IPO Search in the future, including saved searches and getting patent notifications as well as AI-assisted searching, and new APIs for bulk data access. Integrated trade mark and design searches will be supported in 2026.

“Through One IPO Search, users will have access to all the information they need in a single, easy to use platform – modernising an outdated system which will support our innovators to do what they do best for years to come,” said Feryal Clark MP, UK Minister for Intellectual Property.

One IPO Search 

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