Campaign to Raise Awareness of Patents

Intellectual property has the potential to provide a major boost for the UK economy, it has been claimed.

The Patent Office has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the value of intellectual property (IP) - patents, trade marks, design registrations and copyright - among SMEs.

Backing the initiative, Minister for Science and Innovation Lord Sainsbury said the protection and exploitation of the UK's creativity through IP was "one of the most important catalysts for growth" in the British economy.

He said the campaign reinforced the increasing worth of intellectual assets in the knowledge economy as highlighted in the Department of Trade & Industry's Innovation Report.

The Patent Office is working in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) and Institute of Trademark Attorneys (ITMA) on the 'What Is The Key?' initiative.

It is aimed at helping SMEs unlock their hidden potential by making the most of their intellectual assets. It will also make them aware of the dangers of not being aware of other people's intellectual assets.