The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched an online tool designed to help business owners understand intellectual property (IP) and find out how to protect their ideas and creations.
Its ‘IP healthcheck’ tool offers advice on identifying, protecting and commercially exploiting IP. It also allows users to learn more about the different types of IP: trade marks, copyright works, patents, designs, design rights and confidential information, and establish in which of these areas they require support.
It aims to guide users through a step-by-step process, helping them to identify IP opportunities and maximise the value they could add to their overall business development.
Users are asked to complete an online questionnaire, and receive a tailored confidential report in return, with recommended action points on protecting and exploiting IP, guidance on how to put those in place, and links to further information.
David Lammy, Minister for Intellectual Property said: “Innovation and enterprise are at the heart of the UK economy and I want employers and employees alike to understand the value of intellectual property and its role in the working environment
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“This web tool highlights the opportunities offered by intellectual property and I want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of its advice.
“The UK’s future economic success depends largely on our ability to innovate and create new products and services so it is vitally important that we support businesses in their work,” he added.
The tool, which is free to use, is available at www.ipo.gov.uk/iphealthcheck.
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