Intellectual Property Office to host free awareness event in Halifax

The Intellectual Property Office is hosting a free event entitled 'Brands Inventions and Ideas" in Halifax on the 8 October 2009. The event aims to encourage local businesses to recognise the importance of branding names, products and services and highlight how registering your intellectual property (IP) can protect your business investments.

The event, which will be held at The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre at Innovation Centre, Halifax from 11:30 - 16:30, will include a number of seminars on how to recognise and protect business assets, as well as featuring speeches and advice sessions from licensing, marketing and IP professionals.

Lawrence Smith Higgins, head of business outreach and education at the Intellectual Property Office, comments:

"Every business has some form of Intellectual Property that it uses to distinguish itself from its competitors. Whether it is their trading name, a logo or a brand - all businesses need to be aware of the value and importance of their intellectual assets as well as the risks of not registering them as trade marks, to prevent others using them at anytime, anywhere, anyhow.

"This event will be invaluable to those wanting to innovate and develop their businesses, and make sure that their ideas and assets are properly registered and not at risk of being exploited by others."

The event is open to representatives from businesses of all sizes, as well as sole traders and new start-ups. Attendees can get valuable advice and information on the best type of protection to suit their business needs, free advice from Intellectual Property professionals and patent attorneys. Attendees will also be given the chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs and local businesses.

Additional support will be available on the day from Business Link and the professional bodies for trade marks - ITMA and patents - CIPA. Time will be provided to ask questions on these during the day. Free parking is available at the venue and refreshments will be provided.

Event details

11:30 - 16:30, 8 October 2009

The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre
Hopwood Lane
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX1 5ER

To register for the event please visit:

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/events-halifax1009.htm

Businesses that want to find out more about IP can get a FREE IP Healthcheck online

For more information please contact the Intellectual Property Office team on:

Tel:+44(0) 1633 814305 / 813813 Email: communications@ipo.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• The Intellectual Property Office sits within the Government’s Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) department and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.
• Its role is to help manage an IP system that encourages innovation and creativity, balances the needs of consumers and users, promotes strong and competitive markets and is the foundation of the knowledge based economy.
• It operates in a national and an international environment and its work is governed by national and international law, including various international treaties relating to IP to which the United Kingdom is a party.