UKPO Launches Infringement and Validity Opinion Service

The U.K. Patent Office launched a new opinions service on October 1, 2005, which allows anyone to ask the Patent Office for an expert opinion on an issue of patent infringement or validity. The new service is intended to help parties test the strength of their arguments at the Patent Office before (or instead of) resorting to expensive litigation.

Anyone may request an opinion on any UK patent, or European patent which designates the UK. The fee is £200. After the request is filed, there is a short period for anyone to make observations on the request, and for the requester and patentee to make observations in reply.
The opinion will be written and issued by a senior patent examiner, who will consider the arguments set out in the request, as well as any observations filed.

Full details of the opinions procedure can be found on this website.