Intellectual Property Office serves up more free IP support for UK businesses

David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property, today welcomed, a set of new IP advice resources to help UK business gain greater value from their IP.

The IP Healthcheck online diagnostic tool was launched by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in February 2009 to help innovators and business owners find out how to protect and exploit their brands, inventions, creativity and copyright and drive their businesses forward.

A recent survey of Healthcheck users found that nearly half (48%) of them had acted upon the information provided by the tool, with almost a third (31%) of these users then going on to file an application for a trade mark, patent or design.

Building on the success of the IP Healthcheck the IPO has developed two further free online diagnostic tools.

They are:

• Licensing Your Intellectual Property for exploiting your IP - developed in collaboration with the Business to Business licensing group.
• Confidential Information to keep your IP Secure.

Commenting on the launch event, hosted by Microsoft, David Lammy said:

"Intellectual Property contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy, so helping businesses to manage and protect their IP is fundamental to our country’s prosperity."

He added:

"Any business wishing to maintain a competitive edge must license their IP, but understanding the value and opportunities of licensing can be complex.

That's why I am pleased to be launching these new Healthcheck tools that will mean every SME in the UK can go online and receive free targeted advice on how to use the IP they own, in order to benefit their business and become more profitable."

The launch event will feature presentations from:

• Paul Morris - Head of Government Affairs, Microsoft
• Ronald Zink - Chief IP Counsel for Microsoft
• Miles Rees - Business Outreach Manager, Intellectual Property Office

Ron Zink, Chief IP Counsel EMEA, Microsoft Corporation commented:

"This new free online tool from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will be a welcome addition by those individuals and businesses wishing to better understand and utilise their own Intellectual Property.

"As hosts of today's launch, I am proud to see Microsoft technology being used in such an effective way, supporting SMEs with their Intellectual Property needs"

This invitation only event will be attended by a cross section of business to business support organisations, professional bodies, IP experts and SMEs. They will have the opportunity to explore the new tools and guides, as well as meet industry colleagues and counterparts.

Notes to editors

• This launch event will be held from 15:30 - 18:00 on Wednesday 2 December 2009
  
  Hosted by Microsoft at:
  Microsoft London (Cardinal Place)
  100 Victoria Street
  London, SW1E 5JL
  
  
• The Healthcheck tool is free to use, and offers advice on identifying, protecting and commercially exploiting IP. It also allows users to learn more about the different types of IP: trade marks, copyright works, patents, designs, design rights and confidential information, and establish in which of these areas they require support.
• To complement the online resource a new series of guidance booklets in the IP Healthcheck series are available;
  
  - Business Licensing Booklet (427Kb)
  - Confidential Disclosure Agreements (173Kb)
  - Agreeing a Price for Intellectual Property Rights (359Kb)
  
  
• A further IP resource announced today was the IP Masterclass a new training course for business advisors and intermediaries. The specialist course, developed in partnership with Coventry University and the British Library and supported by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, focuses on all aspects of intellectual property.
• The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
• Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge based economy.
• It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party.
• For enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact Sarah Challenger on + 44 (0) 1633 814305 or Matthew Navarra on + 44 (0) 1633 818313