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| George Stephenson |
Jane Lambert
If you invent a new method of transportation like George and Robert Stephenson or write a blockbuster novel like Catherine Cookson you would expect some sort of reward for your efforts. But you will only get it if people travel on your conveyance or buy copies of your books. They may not do that if they can travel slightly more cheaply on someone else's railway or buy knock offs of your books at a lower price.
That's where intellectual property comes in. Intellectual property (usually abbreviated to "IP") is the collective name for the bundle of rights that protect investment in intellectual assets, that is to say brands, designs, technology and creative works. Thus, patents grant inventors a monopoly of a new invention and copyrights confer upon authors exclusive rights to reproduce their literary works.
But IP rights cannot be unlimited or unconditional as monopolies and restrictions are bad for consumers and the economy generally. In making and enforcing the laws that confer those rights Parliament and the courts impose limits and conditions that have to be observed. Get them wrong and you lose your legal protection. You may even end up paying money to an unscrupulous competitor.
Clearly you need professional guidance but that is not entirely straightforward because no lawyer or patent or trade mark attorney will know your business as well as you do. He or she may suggest methods of protection that work for many businesses but not necessarily yours. You need to know a little bit about IP and how it works in order to instruct your professional adviser properly and understand his or her advice.
A good starting point is the IP for business: events, guidance, tools and case studies page of the government website. That contains links to:
- Business events
- Interactive business tools and training
- Business guidance
- Trade mark case studies
- Patent case studies
- Designs case studies
- Copyright case studies
- IP attaché case studies
- Trade secrets case studies
- Mediation case studies.
You may also find useful training videos on the IPO's YouTube channel.
Another good online resource is the British Library's Business and IP Centre which offers the following services:
Another good online resource is the British Library's Business and IP Centre which offers the following services:
- information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
- free 30 min enquiry service
- advice on searching
- free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
- fee based document supply service
- commissioned novelty, current awareness and other IP searches
- bespoke training sessions
- Public Availability Date service
- Business Information Advice Sessions
- referrals to other advice/service providers
- Comprehensive, fully-funded support programme for businesses specifically looking to grow.
The British Library is part of a national network of Business and IP Centres and patent libraries which includes Newcastle City Library The Newcastle Business and IP Centre offers talks, workshops and clinics for local residents either free of charge or at a modest cost.
One of the most useful links on the P for business: events, guidance, tools and case studies web page is headed Seeking Intellectual Property Advice, The page describes the services that are available online on the Government and British Library websites and the professional services offered by patent and trade mark attorneys and specialist intellectual property solicitors and barristers. As the information on barristers is a bit thin I wrote IP Services from Barristers in NIPC News on who barristers are, what they do and how to instruct them. I also mentioned their unique advantages.
Anyone wishing to discuss this article or IP advice in general should call me on 020 7404 5252 during office hours or send me a message through my contact form.
One of the most useful links on the P for business: events, guidance, tools and case studies web page is headed Seeking Intellectual Property Advice, The page describes the services that are available online on the Government and British Library websites and the professional services offered by patent and trade mark attorneys and specialist intellectual property solicitors and barristers. As the information on barristers is a bit thin I wrote IP Services from Barristers in NIPC News on who barristers are, what they do and how to instruct them. I also mentioned their unique advantages.
Anyone wishing to discuss this article or IP advice in general should call me on 020 7404 5252 during office hours or send me a message through my contact form.
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