Reviewed 24 February 2010

Global iconic brands leverage their Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property Office and the Museum of Brands launch new exhibition and learning resources

In collaboration with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the Museum of Brands opens the doors on a new exhibition showing visitors the rich heritage of brands and their important relationship with Intellectual Property (IP).

The UK public’s love of brands matches that of people the world over. The sophisticated creative effort that combines colours, shapes, words, and the emotional cues their creators build around them, leads to some of the most recognisable and desired products and services we consume every day. Some of the most successful brands were created over 100 years ago and still remain as popular today, or in some case more so.

David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property, speaking at the exhibitions opening said:

"Brands play a huge part in everyone’s daily life. Effective branding not only adds value to products and wealth to economies, but can define us as individuals and become cultural phenomena.

"Whether the brand is long established like ‘Oxo’ or relatively young like ‘Innocent drinks’ it is the Intellectual Property rights within the brand that allows the businesses behind them to prosper.

"It is crucial that the next generation of young brand creators understand the benefits of such IP protection; the exhibition and new website will help them do just that. Today’s brands are just important as those steeped in history; they will become the iconic brands of tomorrow, we must value and protect them."

The exhibition aims to inspire students and other visitors to think about brands and how they can be created, managed and exploited, using trade mark and design rights that protect their creative and intellectual investment. One of many popular brands explored at the museum is Reggae Reggae Sauce created by Levi Roots, which was featured on BBC’s Dragons Den show.

The museum and this additional exhibition feature hopes to encourage and nurture its visitor’s interests in branding, leading them to be the next designer, creator or innovator of yet another popular and iconic global brand for generations to come.

Further to the exhibition, the IPO and Museum of Brands have developed a host of educational resource materials.

These include a new dedicated website which contains various worksheets for students to download that explore branding and intellectual property. The website also holds a wealth of further information about both these areas and has links to additional content hosted at the IPO or the Museum of Brand’s own websites

The exhibition and learning resources follow the recent ‘Branding in a modern economy' conference which the IPO held in London at the end of last year.

Notes to editors

  • "Branding in a modern economy" conference
  • The exhibition is at:

    The Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising
    2 Colville Mews,
    Lonsdale Road,
    Notting Hill,
    London,
    W11 2AR

    Call: +44 (0)20 7908 0880
    Email: info@museumofbrands.com
    Website: www.museumofbrands.com External Link

    Opening hours
    Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 - 18:00
    Sunday: 11:00 - 17:00
    Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays)

    Last entry is 45 minutes before closing

    Admission fees
    Adults: £5.80 (including Gift Aid)
    Children (7-16): £2.00
    Family: £14.00
    Concessions £3.50
  • 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 Matthew Navarra on + 44 (0)1633 818313

Date of release: 24 February 2010