The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has set out how it plans to create a strong intellectual property (IP) system with the aim for the UK to be a global leader in innovation.
The innovation strategy outlines how IP will address four pillars: unleashing business, supporting people and skills, serving the needs of institutions and places, and stimulating missions and technologies.
As part of the strategy, the IPO will:
- ‘launch a new ‘IP Access’ fund that will help businesses to grow and to build back better from the Covid pandemic. Building on the already successful IP audit plus programme, this new scheme will support businesses to manage and commercialise their IP so that they can use the value within their IP assets to grow their business
- ‘launch a new, free, fit for purpose support offer for businesses and organisations to make the most of their IP in overseas markets. The service will consist of easy to access, ‘self-serve’, online materials and clearer routes to access the UK’s network of IP experts based in key export markets around the world
- ‘extend its education programme to reach more higher education-based researchers during the next academic year. This will help them better understand and manage the IP they create and generate the maximum benefit from their research.’
The IPO has also announced that it will consult on a number of issues to strengthen the UK’s IP system. This will include an Autumn consultation on the protection of inventions and creations made by artificial intelligence with minimal human input.
The IPO has also announced a call for views to better understand how the current framework for Standard Essential Patents is supporting innovation and to establish whether change is needed.