Patent Office Gives Free Intellectual Property Awareness Seminars

A wealth of intellectual property advice and practical help will be on offer to small and medium sized enterprises at a number of events to be held in Oxford, Glasgow, London and Reading in the coming months.

Free information on a wide range of intellectual property matters - from patents, trade marks, new designs legislation, commercial and mediation services will be available.

Organised by the Patent Office and supported by Business Link, the events bring together representatives from the professional bodies The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) and The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) under one roof.

The events are a unique opportunity to obtain quality advice in a relaxed and informal setting. Each event will include a presentation by the Patent Office will focus on the intellectual property system and the benefits of protecting your business’s intellectual assets. A local entrepreneur will share their experience of working with the Patent Office and highlight the benefits of protecting intellectual property rights.  ITMA and CIPA will also deliver a short presentation about their role in the intellectual property field.

Miles Rees, Business Development Manager, The Patent Office said,

"The Patent Office is keen to offer improved services for its customers. By bringing experts in the intellectual property arena together at the Intellectual Property Awareness Days we are providing a one-stop shop for local people. There will be help on hand for every type of business. Intellectual property is important and relevant to any business whether it is a multinational such as AstraZenica or a sole trader.

We have a strong commitment to provide businesses with help, support and advice, and we recognise the need to deliver the best quality service to all our customer’s so that can protect their intellectual property assets".

Entry to the events are free and places are limited and can quickly become oversubscribed. To avoid missing out, bookings should be made in advance at events@patent.gov.uk or for further information please contact the Events Team on 01633 814708.

Editor Note

The events will take place at the following:

• Oxford - 31 October 2006
• Glasgow - 28 November 2006
• London - 04 December 2006
• Reading - 10 January 2007

The average small business relies heavily on the intellectual capital – and it is not just innovative new products or clever inventions. It is tied up in the reputation of the company and its services which can all be protected by various legal systems. Those same systems can be used by other companies defend their intellectual assets. There is a whole minefield of opportunities and threats that many small businesses ignore at their peril.

Each seminar will include how to:

• Protect intellectual assets
• Avoid unnecessary infringements
• Make sense of legal protection offered by trade marks, registered designs and copyright
• Avoid the threats and harness opportunities to make money from your intellectual assets

At the outset, most companies are aware of the choice of their company name and, if they have created a new product, then will be aware of the need to protect it with a patent. Many, however, are unaware of the ability to protect their work, or the power of trademarks or the danger of infringing other peoples’ intellectual assets.

The four main types of IP are:

• Patents - Patents protect the technical and functional aspects of products and processes.
• Trade Marks - Trade Marks protect signs that can distinguish the goods and services of one trader from those of another.
• Copyright - Copyright protects material, such as literature, art, music, sound recordings, films and broadcasts.
• Designs - Designs protect the visual appearance or eye appeal of products.

However, IP also covers trade secrets, plant varieties, geographical indications, performers rights and so on.

Often, more than one type of IP may apply to the same creation.

For press lines contact:
Miles Rees
+44 1633 814275

Date of release: 23 October 2006