Seminar on Counterfeiting and Enforcement hosted by the UK-IPO

The UK Intellectual Property Office is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a free seminar on 17 October 2008 titled "Counterfeiting and Enforcement"

Coventry hosts this event, which is part of a Europe wide project funded by the European Commission. The aim of the initiative is to raise awareness of IP issues and the impact that theft of Intellectual Property Rights can have on small businesses.

This Seminar is an excellent opportunity to hear a number of expert speakers discuss what IP theft means to business, the role of enforcement agencies, the damage IP crime does to society and what action can be taken against those who infringe IP rights. It is estimated that over £1billion is lost in the UK each year through counterfeiting, plagiarism and IP theft.

Commenting on the seminar, Minister of State for Higher Education and Intellectual Property David Lammy said:

"To ensure the UK maintains its economic competitiveness in a global economy it is vital that firms are made aware of the need to protect their Intellectual Assets and the manner in which they can take against those who abuse these rights."

"Theft of intellectual assets is a crime which poses a threat to our economic stability and I take this threat seriously. This conference provides the opportunity for all to be made aware of what actions can be taken against perpetrators of this crime."

The free Seminar takes place on Friday 17 October 2008 from 09:30 - 16:00 at the Coventry TechnoCentre, CUE Ltd, Coventry University, CV1 2TT.

Editors notes

• Please telephone our Events team on +44 (0)1633 814708 to book your place for this seminar.
• More information on the event is available on our website.
• For enquiries about the UK Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact the Communications Team on +44 (0)1633 814840 or +44 (0)1633 814305.

Date of release: 15 October 2008