Menu
01/04/2011
Small Businesses Urged To Protect Their Ideas
Small businesses need to do more to protect and exploit their innovations, according to research published today by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
The ‘Intellectual Property Awareness Survey of Business’ has shown that only 15 percent of small companies have ever sought advice on safeguarding their ideas. Only 11 percent of firms overall assign responsibility for managing intellectual property (IP) rights. This is compared to 43 per cent of larger companies, meaning that smaller enterprises risk missing out on valuable income from their creativity.
Announcing the results during a visit to Plymouth University to talk to final year robotics students about the value of their ideas, Intellectual Property Minister Baroness Wilcox said: “Innovation is the backbone of our economy, and it’s encouraging that many businesses know the importance of protecting and exploiting their ideas. However it’s clear that many smaller companies aren’t aware of how to make the most of their intellectual property.
“As part of the Government’s commitment to helping small businesses, the Intellectual Property Office offers a range of information and services to help companies identify and benefit from their inventions and designs.”
This is the second awareness survey commissioned by the IPO. It involved 20,000 businesses of all sizes and from all industry sectors across the UK, and aimed to find out their level of awareness about intellectual property including trade marks, patents, copyright and designs.
(BMcN/GK)
The ‘Intellectual Property Awareness Survey of Business’ has shown that only 15 percent of small companies have ever sought advice on safeguarding their ideas. Only 11 percent of firms overall assign responsibility for managing intellectual property (IP) rights. This is compared to 43 per cent of larger companies, meaning that smaller enterprises risk missing out on valuable income from their creativity.
Announcing the results during a visit to Plymouth University to talk to final year robotics students about the value of their ideas, Intellectual Property Minister Baroness Wilcox said: “Innovation is the backbone of our economy, and it’s encouraging that many businesses know the importance of protecting and exploiting their ideas. However it’s clear that many smaller companies aren’t aware of how to make the most of their intellectual property.
“As part of the Government’s commitment to helping small businesses, the Intellectual Property Office offers a range of information and services to help companies identify and benefit from their inventions and designs.”
This is the second awareness survey commissioned by the IPO. It involved 20,000 businesses of all sizes and from all industry sectors across the UK, and aimed to find out their level of awareness about intellectual property including trade marks, patents, copyright and designs.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 November 2011
Business To Benefit From Express Patents
The Government has confirmed a new small claims service at the patent court to help small and medium sized businesses protect their copyright, patents, trade marks and designs. Currently small firms have to pay high costs and undergo lengthy procedures to bring claims against those who infringe their Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
Business To Benefit From Express Patents
The Government has confirmed a new small claims service at the patent court to help small and medium sized businesses protect their copyright, patents, trade marks and designs. Currently small firms have to pay high costs and undergo lengthy procedures to bring claims against those who infringe their Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
28 June 2013
New Unit To Tackle Online Piracy
A new police unit has been announced that will seek to tackle intellectual property crimes such as online piracy and counterfeit goods. Intellectual Property Minister, Lord Younger and City of London Police Commissioner, Adrian Leppard launched the unit today. The government claims it will be one of the first units of its kind in the world.
New Unit To Tackle Online Piracy
A new police unit has been announced that will seek to tackle intellectual property crimes such as online piracy and counterfeit goods. Intellectual Property Minister, Lord Younger and City of London Police Commissioner, Adrian Leppard launched the unit today. The government claims it will be one of the first units of its kind in the world.
08 December 2011
Intellectual Property Chief Appointed To China Despite Scandal
The Government has appointed its first ever Intellectual Property official to China despite an ongoing scandal into powerful lobbyists influencing its dealings with the Chinese Government.
Intellectual Property Chief Appointed To China Despite Scandal
The Government has appointed its first ever Intellectual Property official to China despite an ongoing scandal into powerful lobbyists influencing its dealings with the Chinese Government.
21 September 2011
UK Designers 'Should Help Identify Growth Potential'
The Government today launched a call for evidence on how the UK intellectual property system can better support our globally successful design industry.
UK Designers 'Should Help Identify Growth Potential'
The Government today launched a call for evidence on how the UK intellectual property system can better support our globally successful design industry.
08 July 2011
Protected Investment In UK Businesses Worth £65bn Per Year
Reports published today show that investments made by businesses in products and services that are protected by intellectual property rights (IPRs) are worth £65 billion a year. The announcement was made by Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Wilcox.
Protected Investment In UK Businesses Worth £65bn Per Year
Reports published today show that investments made by businesses in products and services that are protected by intellectual property rights (IPRs) are worth £65 billion a year. The announcement was made by Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Wilcox.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
