Formalities examiners check that when people (or companies) apply for their ownership of IP to be officially recognised, the application process runs by the rules laid down by law.
See also our entries about patent examiners and trade mark examiners.
Last Updated: November 1, 2024
Physical property has to be kept secure with locks, walls and documents to prove ownership. Intellectual property – which can be hugely valuable – is the same, but the security comes in the shape of agreed processes, documents and rules. To put it another way, formalities.
When someone applies to register an IP right (for example a patent or trade mark), they or their representative need to file certain forms, provide certain information, and pay certain official fees. The same applies as their application gets processed through to grant, and if they want to manage their registration after grant.
Formalities examiners process the forms and information supplied in line with agreed quality criteria, ensuring compliance with relevant legal requirements. Where necessary, they communicate their findings to the person supplying the information (their “customer”). They record data onto databases – which can include uploading documents and typing in information – to ensure an accurate historical record. During this process they identify any gaps or errors and report them as needed.
Formalities examiners work at the Intellectual Property Office, which is the government department that officially recognises patents and other intellectual property in the UK.
You’ll need to be a stickler for detail, willing to get your head around all the relevant legal rules and regulations. You’ll need to be organised and able to organise other people through communicating with them in person and in writing.
So long as you’ve got at least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) – though preferably more – you can become a formalities examiner straight out of school at 16. More usually, people join a little later or start out in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) as an Examiner Support Officer and then move up. After a few years, you can move up further into other administrative or management roles at the IPO.
Training is done at the IPO, usually in cohorts. You’ll continue to get support from more experienced colleagues once your training has been completed.
You’re part of a team seeing cutting edge ideas before they hit the wider world and you get to take responsibility for your own work.
The IPO is known for being a very inclusive employer. It offers a fair amount of flexibility in working arrangements, and plenty of in-house support.
The rules and regulations are always changing and it’s your job to be on top of the shifting sands.
The Civil Service Jobs website lists vacancies as they crop up, but the IPO also runs an annual recruitment cycle which starts in early September: check the IPO website for details.