An Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) Search checks official Irish registers to confirm the existence, ownership, and status of intellectual property rights. This service is used by solicitors, businesses, rights holders, and advisers when protecting, transferring, licensing, or enforcing intellectual property in Ireland.
Ellis & Ellis provides certified IPOI searches across patents, trade marks, and designs, supporting due diligence, dispute resolution, commercial transactions, and brand or innovation protection.
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Ellis & Ellis conducts searches against the official registers held by the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland, including:
Searches are conducted solely against the Irish IPOI databases and are limited to applicants/ proprietors/ authors, inventors, and/or holders by name, depending on the search type.
Copies of official IPOI documentation are available upon request.
Intellectual property is a legally protected asset that can carry significant commercial, financial, and reputational value. IPOI searches, in a generalised sense, are essential to:
Learn more about Fitness & Probity Searches with our expert explainer.
While such IPOI searches by Ellis & Ellis can assist with all of the above, they are primarily used as a complement to our asset tracing services.
Principally, asset tracing searches aim to identify real property (land, buildings, and other forms of real estate), business interests (ownership stakes in businesses, shares, or partnerships), intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual assets), and liabilities(*).
Request your IPOI Search through the Ellis & Ellis client portal or contact our team for guidance on patents, trade marks, or design searches.
What is the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI)?
The IPOI is the national authority responsible for granting, administering, and maintaining intellectual property rights in Ireland.
Which types of IP can be searched?
Patents, trade marks, registered designs, and related registers such as SPCs.
Are IPOI searches compulsory?
No, but they are strongly recommended before registering, acquiring, or enforcing IP rights.
Can searches confirm if an invention or brand is already protected?
Yes. IPOI searches can identify existing registrations that may affect novelty, registrability, or use.
Do IPOI searches show ownership details?
Yes. Results typically include proprietors, applicants, registration dates, status, and related information.
Can IP rights be transferred or licensed?
Yes. Registered patents, trade marks, and designs can usually be assigned or licensed.
Are copyright records included?
Copyright exists automatically but may be searched where registrations or related records exist.
Why use Ellis & Ellis for IPOI searches?
Ellis & Ellis combines a simple ordering platform with over 136 years of professional search expertise and €10 million Professional Indemnity Cover.
