Government Funding to Help Protect your Intellectual Property (IP)

3rd January 2012

Your Intellectual Property (IP) is probably one of the most valuable assets in your business but how can you be sure that these assets have been properly identified, protected, enforced and / or commercialised?  Commissioning an Intellectual Property audit is well worth the investment, providing a clear strategy for your current and future IP as well as providing a peace of mind that the competitive advantage that your IP undoubtedly brings to your business is protected.

  In the current difficult economic times, however, and with other costs mounting, finding the funding for such an audit might be a struggle. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) (www.ipo.gov.uk) has announced that it is currently offering businesses which have been successful in any of the Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) competitions, the opportunity to apply for funding of up to £3000 towards the cost of an Intellectual Property audit.  It is also looking at the possibility of extending the funding to other companies in the future. In order to ensure that the audits are undertaken by relevant, qualified professionals, the UK IPO has set strict standards which IP advisors must meet if they are to be able to carry out a funded audit.  With members of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys amongst its advisers, Sheffield firm Swindell & Pearson meets the criteria perfectly. As one of the UK's leading Intellectual Property specialist firms, we have been serving the Intellectual Property needs of companies, academic institutions, government agencies and individuals for over 130 years, and are experts at securing and enforcing Intellectual Property Rights throughout the world, as well as defending our clients against third parties' Intellectual Property Rights. An IP audit can help you to ensure that your patents, trademarks, designs, copyright and IP know how are identified, properly managed and exploited. If you think you might be eligible to apply for the UK IPO's funding, or if you have any other IP related matters, please contact Richard Ellis on 0114 321 0035 or email richard.ellis@patents.co.uk For further information about Swindell & Pearson and our IP specialists, please see our web site www.patents.co.uk.