Guidance: One IPO Patents service details

Setting up, accessing and managing accounts 

Anyone can create an IP account and use it to apply for or manage intellectual property (IP), whether you are an inventor, or a legal representative. You can find guidance on how to create or sign in to your account on GOV.UK.

If you work for a large company, an account administrator will invite you to create your own account. You will have your own login details, but your account will be linked to your company. This means that you can access the patents and applications held by the legal entity.

You will sign in using multi-factor authentication to keep your account secure. This means that after entering your username and password, you will need to confirm it’s you. You can do this by entering a code sent by text message or through an authenticator app. Most authenticator apps are supported, including Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator.  

If you don’t want to use a personal device, you can authenticate using a work device (such as a desktop PC or laptop). 

If you do not use your account for 10 minutes, you will be logged out automatically and will need to sign in again.

Managing access to your company’s account 

Each company will nominate one or more administrators. Administrators are responsible for managing access within their company. You can have as many administrators as you need.

invite colleagues to join the company’s account 

remove access when someone leaves the company

Each person in the company will have their own account and login details. By default they will be able to see all patent applications and granted patents that are owned or managed or owned by their company.

There are two types of user account at launch: standard user and administrator.

Both account types work in the same way, but administrators can also:

promote standard users to administrators

We strongly recommend having more than one administrator for your company to make sure someone with administrator access is always available.