London to host world’s largest IP event in 2026
The UK’s global leadership in IP has been recognised with the announcement that the International Trademark Association (INTA) will hold its 148th Annual Meeting in London from 2-6 May 2026.
This prestigious event – the largest gathering of IP professionals and brand owners worldwide – is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees from over 180 countries to ExCeL London in the Royal Docks.
Adam Williams, IPO CEO, said:
“We’re delighted that INTA has chosen London for its 2026 Annual Meeting. This decision recognises the UK’s world-class IP system and our position as a global hub for innovation and creativity.
The IPO looks forward to welcoming IP professionals from around the world and showcasing how our robust and balanced IP framework supports businesses of all sizes.”
Etienne Sanz de Acedo, INTA CEO, said:
“As one of the world’s foremost financial centres and a natural meeting point for international business networks, London offers unparalleled opportunities for our members.
Its position at the heart of global trade and commerce, combined with its history of innovation, makes it the ideal location for IP professionals to connect and collaborate on an international scale.”
London’s selection reflects the UK’s strength in emerging sectors like fintech, AI and green technology, where patent filings have grown by nearly 400% between 2001 and 2020.
The event will showcase the UK’s innovation in IP services, including our digital transformation programme and pioneering use of AI in IP registration and protection.
IPO confirms plans following Transformation consultation
The IPO has published its response to the Transformation consultation launched in August 2023, confirming several changes to IP services that will be implemented following feedback from stakeholders.
The consultation, which received responses from legal and IP professionals, businesses and individuals, covered six key areas including online document inspection, confidentiality rules, series trade marks, SPC fee payment periods, patent inventor addresses and tribunal mediation.
Key decisions confirmed:
- Introducing an online file inspection service for trade marks and designs
- Removing the 14-day delay to designs documents becoming publicly available
- Allowing confidentiality requests to be submitted at any time and by anyone
- Removing the series trade mark service while maintaining existing registrations
- Extending SPC fee payment periods from 3 to 6 months
- Reducing the address details collected and published for patent inventors
- Piloting Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings for tribunal disputes
The changes support the IPO’s Transformation Programme, which will deliver a single, digitised system for all registered IP rights while improving services for users.
Legislation will now be developed to implement these changes, with full details available in the government response below.
