Patent Office launches Electronic Casefile System for new Patent Files

On 26 June 2006, The Patent Office is launching a new Patents Electronic Casefile System (PECS) based around the European Patent Office’s PHOENIX system.

The PECS system complements The Patent Office’s existing electronic filing provision, which uses the epoline® system, and various electronic search and document-production tools.

All new patent applications filed on paper will be scanned into the PHOENIX database and processed electronically. Once a successful transition from processing paper to electronic applications has taken place for new filings, The Patent Office will begin to digitise its existing paper casefiles.

These electronic casefiles will be more readily accessible than the current paper files and will, in the medium term, enable The Patent Office to offer the public new services, such as online file inspection, which will be a major benefit for customers.

Director of Patents, Sean Dennehey, said, "This is one of the most far-reaching changes to the processing of patents in the United Kingdom (UK) for over 100 years. Paper casefiles have always been at the heart of how we work; that changes today. PECS enables true e-processing of UK patent applications, and provides the basis for more efficient working and new customer services."

Chief Executive, Ron Marchant, said, "Sean and the team in the Patents Directorate have successfully brought to fruition a project of pivotal importance. I was involved in the project at its inception and I am both proud of, and excited by, what has been achieved"

For more information about using the Electronic Case System, please contact Joanne Pullen, the PECS Business Change Manager on +44 (0) 1633 814053 or telephone; or e-mail pecs@patent.gov.uk

Date of release: 26 June 2006