23/11/12

Patent event to help protect and develop business in the Black Country

Black Country companies can find out ways to protect and develop their business at an event focused on the use of patents, trademarks, designs and copyright.

The Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership is hosting a free event called, ‘How to use patents for business growth’, which will take place at the National Metalforming Centre on December 7th.

The event will be packed with authoritative information from Government, the University of Wolverhampton and industry; with the purpose of generating a greater understanding of how to optimise the use and value of patents within Black Country businesses.

While patents are traditionally thought of as a way of deterring competitors from imitating products, patents are now also viewed as a basis upon which a business can generate income.

Professor Ian Oakes, the Black Country LEP’s lead on education and skills, said:


“In addition to the important part patents play in protecting aspects of a company’s product portfolio, the emergence of open innovation has transformed patents into valuable and tradable assets. I hope businesses across the region will exploit this free opportunity to hear from experts in this field and gain an improved understanding of how to optimise their use of intellectual property.”

Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council and LEP board member, said:

“Intellectual property rights provide legal protection for some of the most important aspects of a brand such as the name, logo, design, and sometimes the product itself. This event offers businesses a chance to hear from experts in this field to see how it could benefit them.”

The context of patent utilisation within the region will be set by the Black Country Observatory and supplemented by sessions from the UK Intellectual Property Office, University of Wolverhampton, Hadley Industries and IST Ltd.

Presentations will commence at 8.15am and conclude at 1pm with registration and breakfast open from 7.30am. To reserve a place or find out more about the event call Katherine Birch on 01384 471133 or email [email protected] 

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