UK-IPO to outsource to India


UPDATE, 1 April 4pm: If you have been directed here expecting to see an item about the UK-IPO outsourcing work to India, please note the date and the comments below.  

UK-IPO to outsource to India UK-IPO to outsource to India Reviewed by David Pearce on Thursday, April 01, 2010 Rating: 5

30 comments:

  1. This is outrageous! What about the security implications for applications under section 22?

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  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  5. I thought we had already promised the Welsh language work to Patagonia in exchange for a PDO on alpaca wool?

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  7. April Fool - Bad taste really given recent IPO job cuts? (Blogmaster keeps removing but we can keep adding)

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  8. David

    Could you please quote the source from where you got the info.?

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  9. Some of the UK IPO's employees will be given the opportunity to work in India. The pay is less, but cost of living is less, too, and the weather is much better than in Newport! So maybe this is win-win for all.

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  10. had me going for a moment there... Good one Cats.

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  11. My guess is that all of those deleted comments are from people pointing out that this happens to be April 1st...

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  12. We as a firm have started to increasingly utilise the excellent services offered from overseas IP due diligence firms. While my thoughts are with those who may be layed off in Newport, I can only say that fears as to the quality of searching from overseas firms is mostly misplaced. I also personally look forward to any reduction in fees that may arise as a result of this move!

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  13. Had this been on any day other than 1st April we might have believed you...........

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  14. Surely a "poison d'avril"!

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  15. this would result in recruiting more patent examiners in the future

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  16. Thank you everyone for all your comments and emails. I hope you have been as amused and entertained as I have. Now that it's past noon I can officially give the game away. April fool!

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  17. Given recent loss of jobs at the IPO, this would appear to be ill-judged and in bad taste.

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  18. The frightening thing is that this is entirely believable!

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  19. i'd say that there are at least some UK trade mark and patent attorney firms who have coo's that would love to implement this idea for their own firms. you know who you are!

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  20. As of 3pm "The IPKat sincerely apologises for any offence caused" by this item. However, the apology is clearly insincere if the item is deliberately kept on the blog, with or without an explanation that it is an April Fool.

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  21. Fairly offensive even if meant as a joke.

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  22. Jeez-oh, I can't believe anyone would be offended by this. Such things should be taken in the spirit in which they were intended. Clearly iPKat did not set out to offend anyone. I see no need to apologise.

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  23. Again, this post and the comments and the reactions are proof that if you see something on the web, save it. It will be gone when you next look for it. My fun in remembering the post would fade, if I had not logged the post when I saw it. Unfortunately I was not around when an apology was apparently circulated. D...! It would have completed the story.

    I see no need to remove the post; the whole thing is so credible, and had the IPO been on shares, they would have gone up. Why will people be offended when their nose is stuck into the foul stench of globalisation? They have voted for the politicians that have brought us there.

    Kind regards,

    in an Easterly spirit,


    George Brock-Nannestad

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  24. I am studying LL.M (IP) in UEA, I am from India and I am big fan of IPKat but I cant believe David, you can pass this as April fool joke,anyway I was happy when I first read it but felt very bad when I realise its a joke,some Indians would feel offensive after reading your joke.

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  25. "poisson d'avril"
    Or is this a subtle paronomasia?

    DME
    "No literal too trivial"

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  26. All good jokes should have a grain of truth in it, the best also give further food for thought. In that respect this story has been a success.

    As for lack of sensitivity I direct you all to LinkedIn where any question about potentials for outsourcing, including IPR, is met with resounding approval from various countries. As a patent attorney I receive many direct requests for such work, typically several times a month. The unstated implication is that we can save money by firing large sections of our staff.

    Sensitivity, anyone? Reciprocity is a many splendisourced word...

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  27. Bad Joke. I'm from India and I felt bad when saw this "joke" turn around in twitter. And is offensive for our IP Office too ... whom are the current clerical workers in UK IPO?. For next time, try with the Israeli Patent Office for your funny jokes ... unpleasant British imperialism

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