the Intellectual Property Office
/ði ˌɪntəlektʃuəl ˈprɒpəti ɒfɪs/
/ði ˌɪntəlektʃuəl ˈprɑːpərti ɑːfɪs/
- the British government department formerly known as the patent Office. It is responsible for all intellectual property rights in the United Kingdom, including trademarks and patents (= official documents that give people the right to make, use or sell an invention, and stop other people from copying it). It is based in Newport, South Wales.