Intellectual Property masterclasses for Shropshire businesses
Two events to help companies make the most of their intellectual property – and take steps to protect it – are to be staged in the county.
Experts from the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) will be on hand to give comprehensive advice at the free events organised by the Marches Growth Hub Shropshire.
The first session – on March 25 at University Centre Shrewsbury – is open to SMEs only and looks at what they know about intellectual property (IP) and what they are doing to protect it.
Emma Chapman, Marches Growth Hub Shropshire manager, said: “This workshop aims to give participants a good overview of IP – patents, trade marks, designs and copyright – and how to apply this information to their business.
“Having the right type of IP protection helps you to stop people stealing or copying the names of your products or brands, your inventions, the design or look of your products and the things you write, make or produce.
“This workshop is the perfect way to get up to speed with issues which could have a crucial impact on all small businesses in the county.”
Pippa Hall, director of Innovation and chief economist at the IPO, said: “We know that IP is fundamental for maximising on business growth. It is exciting to think that just by identifying and managing the intellectual property they hold, businesses can create extra wealth by leveraging it to their commercial advantage.”
The event gets under way at 9.15am and runs until 12.30pm. A limited number of one-to-one sessions with an IPO adviser are also available from 1pm to 4pm.
To register for the session visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/every-business-owns-intellectual-property-what-do-you-own-tickets-55078803183?aff=ebapi
To book a one-to-one session in the afternoon, email the marchesgrowthhub@shropshire.gov.uk, with the subject heading 'IPO one-to-one'. Provide your name, address and telephone number in the email.
The second event – on March 26 and also at University Centre Shrewsbury – is aimed at giving business advisers all the information they need about IP.
It will run from 9.15am to 4pm and feature discussions on
- Trade marks, designs, copyright and patents and the differences between each of the rights, including application costs.
- The importance of protecting your IP and how to enforce and respect IP.
- How to enforce and protect unregistered rights with the use of NDAs and confidentiality agreements.
- What to do next and where to get the right information and support.
It will conclude with a real-life case study and discussion.
Visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/intellectual-property-full-day-workshop-for-business-advisers-tickets-55079268575
