The government body, which is responsible for administering trademarks and taking enforcement action against individuals or organisations in breach of the law, is considering implementing new and automated technology platforms
The Intellectual Property Office wishes to explore the potential use of artificial intelligence tools that could help officials search records of existing patents.
The organisation, which operates as an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is currently engaged in a market-engagement process, ahead of a potential procurement exercise “for an AI-assisted patent search solution”, according to a newly published commercial notice.
Such a technology system could be used to automatically comb through databases to identify any potential clashes between submitted claims and existing patents, the trademark regulator believes.
“The IPO is seeking to understand the capabilities available within the market to support patent examiners in identifying potentially relevant prior art documents from publicly available patent and technical information sources,” the notice says. “The requirement is intended to explore solutions capable of using semantic, conceptual, AI-assisted or other advanced search techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patent searching, whilst maintaining examiner oversight and decision-making.”
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The IPO is seeking market input until 24 July and currently expects to enter into a four-year contract with its preferred provider in November.
“The engagement will seek supplier feedback on available technologies, service models, security approaches, commercial models, routes to market and procurement considerations,” the notice says. “Particular emphasis will be placed on the handling of confidential patent application information and the protection of customer data within AI-enabled solutions. This engagement is for information-gathering purposes only and does not form part of any formal procurement process. Any future procurement opportunity will be advertised separately.”
Having operated for more than 175 years, the IPO now employs 1,600 people and has offices in London and Newport. The DSIT agency’s responsibilities include “IP policy, educating businesses and consumers about IP rights and responsibilities, supporting IP enforcement, [and] granting UK patents, trademarks and design rights”, according to its GOV.UK page.