Agenda

Every business will own intellectual property – this could be the name you trade under, the look or the function of products you make or use, even the brochures you create to promote your business. All these elements can be protected if they are important to your business and if you manage them correctly they can provide competitive advantage.

The Intellectual Property Office, is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Every business will own intellectual property. The IPO can help you understand how patents, trade marks, designs and copyright can prove an asset to your business.

Our main responsibilities are:

• educating businesses and consumers about IP rights and responsibilities
• IP policy
• supporting IP enforcement
• granting UK patents, trade marks and design rights

Our work encourages innovation, helping the economy and society to benefit from knowledge and ideas.