Protect your ideas, safeguard your business

North West companies say protecting Intellectual Property is now essential

Over two thirds (66%) of North West entrepreneurs say that innovation and new product development is an important focus for their business this year.

However many companies are not using intellectual property (IP) to grow their business, because they do not understand the costs and processes involved, according to the Intellectual Property Office.

This may be costing them money, as nearly three quarters (70%) of people surveyed in the region who have taken steps to protect their IP say they have saved more than £1,000, and over half (59%) say it has grown their business or boosted their reputation.

To encourage more businesses to register their patents and designs and help support business learn how registering their patents and designs, could help them boost their business performance, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is holding a seminar, ‘Patents & Designs - Protecting your ideas and inventions’ at the Manchester Central Library on 26 January.

David Lammy, Minister of State for Intellectual Property, said:

"It’s extremely encouraging that so many North West businesses are seeing the benefits innovation and creativity can bring, especially in the current economic climate.

But I want to make sure these businesses are also protecting their ideas by registering their intellectual assets. Today’s event is a positive and useful way of getting this message across and shows people how they can build their businesses and achieve the kind of growth that will see them, and this region, continue to thrive".

The event is free and 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. The event is also an invaluable chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs and local businesses.

Local entrepreneurs Matthew Readman & Matthew Kimpton-Smith from the Cygnet Group, a local business which specialises in the oil and gas industry, will speak about their experience of using IP to maintain its innovative roots.

Matthew Readman said:

"Having steadily built our business over the last few years, we discovered that intellectual property IP was a top priority for us.

"We found that by grasping the basics of IP and carefully managing and protecting our innovations (creations), using the legal rights we all have - we were able to develop a strong brand that our customers now look for in the market we are in.

"For us, it was true that IP was not as complicated, time consuming or costly as we feared. If you can spend some time getting to grips with the basics and using these types of event to get some free help and guidance, it will benefit you in the longer term"

To hear more about IP, see all the days’ presentations, and network with fellow business professionals, you need to register online. This event is free and is expected to be popular.

Notes to editors

• A full breakdown of the research commissioned by the Intellectual Property Office is available on request
• This launch event will be held on 26 January 2010 from 09:00, at:
  Manchester Patent Library,
  Central Library,
  St Peters Square,
  M2 5PD
• The Intellectual Property Office is within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trade marks and copyright.
• To register for this event (and others), visit our events calendar.
• 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.
• For enquiries about the Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact Sarah Challenger on + 44 (0)1633 814305 or Matthew Navarra on + 44 (0)1633 818313