Intellectual Property Office

The Intellectual Property Office publishes monthly data on supplier invoice payments from April 2011 through June 2026. The data records total invoices paid, invoices paid within the applicable three- or five-working-day target, late payments, disputed invoices and the percentage paid on time. In June 2026, 914 of 932 invoices were paid within five working days or less, representing 98.07%, while 18 were paid later and 9 were disputed.

The UK Intellectual Property Office offers several fee-free ways to accelerate patent processing, including the Green Channel for inventions with environmental benefits, the PCT (UK) Fast Track, and the Patent Prosecution Highway. The Global Patent Prosecution Highway enables acceleration across participating offices using prior examination work, while bilateral programmes operate with China and Uruguay. Applicants must submit requests and meet the relevant eligibility and procedural requirements; acceleration is not automatic.