His Royal Highness (HRH) The Duke of York visits the UK Intellectual Property Office

His Royal Highness The Duke of York visited the UK Intellectual Property Office on 10 July 2008 in his capacity as UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment.

The Duke accompanied by Ian Fletcher, the UK-IPO's Chief Executive went on a tour of the Office designed to highlight the important role intellectual property has to play in enabling the UK to compete in today's global economy.

As part of his visit the Duke heard about the UK-IPO's Business Outreach Programme and its work with partners such as UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Business Link and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to support UK businesses.

Ian Fletcher, Chief Executive of the UK-IPO, said:

"I was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness today. As Special Representative for Trade and Investment, His Royal Highness already plays a significant personal role promoting British business around the world. Intellectual Property plays a vital role in the UK's economic prosperity, and we took the opportunity to show His Royal Highness the work we do, and underline the contribution Intellectual Property makes to the UK's economic prosperity and competitiveness".

The UK-IPO is the world’s oldest Patent/Intellectual Property Office, granting patents, trade marks and designs and maintaining the copyright registry

Editors notes:

• The Duke of York visited the UK-IPO Office located in Newport, South Wales. For enquiries about the visit please contact Sarah Challenger, Communications Executive, UK-IPO on 01633 814305.
• The Duke of York has been the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment since October 2001. For more information on The Duke of York please consult: www.thedukeofyork.org