Groups and Committees

Small businesses to be offered intellectual property audits

The DTI is to conduct a pilot project whereby 40 firms, many of which have never sought to protect their intellectual property, will take part in a three-day audit by the UK Patent Office. The IP audit pilots will help small firms in the manufacturing, service, high tech, creative and other sectors identify what intellectual property exists within their organisation and offer advice to protect, use and maximise its value.

The IP audit pilot will commence in March 2007. In partnership with four regional agencies 10 companies in each area, will be identified to take part in the pilot. Two groups will be targeted; companies that have filed only one or two IP applications and those that have never filed.

If your company would like to be considered as one of the 40 for the pilot, contact your local RDA http://www.englandsrdas.com/home.asp (or equivalent in the devolved administrations) and/or the UK patent office.
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Intellect members looking for general background information on intellectual property are invited to download our White Paper - Intellectual Property: Building Blocks of the Future (PDF 195KB) more»

The pilots form part of a new Innovation Support Strategy, published 01 February 2007, designed by the Patent Office to help UK business recognise, protect and maximise the value of their intellectual property (IP) assets to compete in the global economy. The strategy implements the first of the recommendations of the recent Gowers Review of Intellecutual Property, published last December.

Launching the pilots Science and Innovation Minister  Malcolm Wicks said:

"Protecting and promoting innovation has never been more important for firms big and small, at home and abroad. Andrew Gowers’ Review underlined the importance of intellectual property in a world where the UK's economic competitiveness is increasingly driven by knowledge-based industries, innovation and creativity.

Every business uses aspects of intellectual property, the name it trades under, process it uses or the products or services it provides. The IP audit pilots will help up to 40 small firms in the manufacturing, service, high tech, creative and other sectors identify what intellectual property exists and offer advice to protect, use and maximise its value. It is just one of a number of new initiatives designed to help businesses raise their IP game in the face of growing global competition.”

Other initiatives outlined in the Innovation Support Strategy will include:

• Web based guidance to help UK firms operating in foreign markets. Companies working in fast growth economies such as China, India and Brazil will benefit from simple and concise guidance on obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights to help them avoid elephant traps, overcome legal hurdles and guide them to reliable professional help. Working in partnership with UKTI, this Patent Office initiative builds on work the government has already done in transforming our world class innovation and creativity into the products and services that the world wants to buy.
• Trials of 'patent mapping'. By analysing patent information the Patent Office will be able to identify trends in the market for particular products, services or research and development strategies. Businesses using this service will be able to use this information to plan company investment and highlight areas of potential collaboration.

For more information contact:

Jennifer Carlton
Senior Programme Manager
T 020 7331 2003
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