The British Patent Office is cutting its fees from October鈥攁nd some are
being abolished. Trade and industry minister Ian McCartney says that since the
PO moved to Wales in 1991 it has saved so much cash that it can afford to reduce
its revenue by some 拢12 million a year. The initial fee for filing a
patent application, currently 拢25, will be abolished. Trademark
applications go down from 拢225 to 拢200, helping small firms seek
early protection. Annual renewal fees on granted patents will also be cut by 18
per cent, helping companies keep patents in force while they try to build their
businesses.
Technology
Inventive incentive
By Barry Fox
29 August 1998



