The United Kingdom's Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched a new, free patent search – Ipsum.

Using Ipsum you can:

• View patent status
• View up to date information on patents
• Access some documents from published patent applications
• See which classifications and fields of search have been used
• Save your favorite patent applications in your bookmarks
• Get data on European Patents (UK). These may not include changes which have occurred in recent months before the EPO, but these can be found on the EPO Register

Searches may be conducted by Publication or Application Number. Searches by Publication number must be entered in one of the following formats:

• GBnnnnnnn
• EPnnnnnnn

The database is closed for maintenance two hours each week – from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM UK Time.