IP Connect newsletter - October 2024
Intellectual Property Office UK
IPO UK. Responsible for IP rights: patents, trade marks, copyright and designs.
IP Connect is the IPO's official newsletter. Each month we will share updates on our policies and priorities. Subscribe now to get the latest IP news direct to your LinkedIn dashboard.
IP Minister marks British IP Day
On 30th October, Minister for IP, Feryal Clark MP and IPO CEO, Adam Williams, joined the Alliance for Intellectual Property 's celebration of British IP Day at the House of Commons.?
The annual event, spearheaded by the Alliance, brings together key stakeholders to highlight the crucial role of IP in the UK's economy and culture.?
Adam met with the Minister for IP, Feryal Clark MP, for whom this marked her first official IP-related event. Alongside the Minister, Adam also met with Dan Guthrie, CEO of the Alliance, and held discussions with business representatives.?
Speaking at the event, Minister for IP, Feryal Clark MP, said:
"UK businesses invest more than ￡185 billion a year in knowledge assets, over half of which is protected by IP rights. Highly innovative industries now account for around a quarter of the UK's economic output. And we know that UK researchers who protect IP frequently go on to commercialise their IP through spinouts, licensing deals, and private sector collaboration."
The discussions focused on the success of British innovation and creativity across various sectors and its contribution to economic growth, as well as the importance of partnerships in maintaining the UK's world-leading IP framework.?
In her closing remarks the Minister said:
"All the industries at the heart of our new Industrial Strategy have one big thing in common: knowledge assets, including IP, are the golden thread connecting them. So I'm proud to say that the government recognises all IP-rich businesses as having a central role in our mission to kickstart economic growth."
IPO launches nationwide campaign as 1 in 6 drivers buy fake car parts
This month, the IPO unveiled a crucial new campaign aimed at protecting motorists from the dangers of counterfeit vehicle parts. The "Fake Always Breaks" initiative comes in response to alarming new figures showing that one in six drivers have unknowingly purchased fake parts in the past year alone.
The campaign highlights the life-threatening risks associated with counterfeit components such as brakes, headlights, and airbags. Research reveals that among drivers who bought fake parts, 25% purchased car batteries, 23% bought tyres or wheels, and 19% acquired windscreen wipers. More alarmingly, 14% bought counterfeit airbags, and 12% purchased fake brake pads or discs.
Backed by a wide range of automotive industry stakeholders, including the Independent Garage Association , vehicle manufacturers, and law enforcement bodies, the campaign aims to educate drivers on how to spot fakes, avoid dangers, and report counterfeit parts.
As we approach the winter months with more hazardous driving conditions, the IPO urges all motorists to prioritise safety by ensuring they use only genuine parts in their vehicles.
Miles Rees,?IPO Deputy Director of Enforcement, said:?
"This is a serious campaign with a very serious message.? We want to raise awareness that the trade in counterfeit vehicle parts not only harms legitimate traders while enriching criminals, but can also lead to life-changing or life-ending consequences for road users."
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UK-Brazil partnership shuts down 10,000 illegal streaming websites?
The IPO has played a key role in Operation 404, a Brazilian-led anti-piracy initiative. Working alongside Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit and UK stakeholders like the Premier League , we've helped shut down over 10,000 illegal streaming websites and apps since 2019.
This collaboration aligns with our goal to promote international IP protection and enforcement. By participating, we aim to boost trade opportunities, innovation, and global IP services. The operation's success in Brazil shows promising results, with reports indicating a decline in piracy frequency.
Collaboration is key and our attaché network is the jewel in our crown when it comes to the UK's work overseas.?
UK hosts China delegation to share patent examination best practice
The IPO welcomed a senior delegation from China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) to our Newport office, headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the Patent Office.
The visit included valuable discussions on patent examination best practices and IP commercialisation.
IPO Deputy CEO, Andy Bartlett, headed the bilateral meeting, supported by key IPO experts in patent examination, ecosystems, and East Asia policy.
The teams exchanged ideas on patent examination techniques, showcased our ongoing Transformation programme, and highlighted services available to businesses for IP protection.
IPO and partners launch nationwide young inventor competition
The IPO has partnered with Taskmaster Education and Kids Invent Stuff to inspire young UK inventors. Children aged 4-11 are challenged to create a device helping Little Alex Horne become the best Taskmaster's Assistant.
IPO CEO, Adam Williams, said:
"The IPO is delighted to be working with supporters of young innovation to inspire the next generation of UK inventors. It’s great to see a competition for young people that looks to celebrate and develop innovation skills, and I can’t wait to see the ingenious and no doubt pretty wacky and wonderful ideas it will bring."
Entries close on 13th December, with the winner announced during British Science Week in March 2025.
Monthly IPO statistics
In September, the IPO continued its vital work in supporting innovation and creativity across the UK:
Intern at Toyota Tsusho Group | Market Entry Strategy in Afghanistan
3 周Thanks for sharing
Principal Consultant @ Fox Red | Intellectual Property Operations Consulting
3 周"guests" Matt Dixon
Experienced C-suite executive managing high-growth business | Operations | Business development | Marketing | Policy | Technology
3 周It feels like we are at turning point again in IP protection where technology is pushing at the doors of current regulation. As the Ministers said last night, let’s get a quick resolution that affords creators protection and also allows innovation to proceed.
Director at Ariele Associates
3 周Love this
Chairman and Co-founder of Anti Copying in Design, Past Master of the Furniture Makers' Company
3 周Last night's celebration of the creative industries' huge culturual and economic contribution to the UK was rightly applauded by the IP Minister Rt Hon Feryal Clark and Sir Chris Bryant, MP so it is reassurinng to hear that IP rich businesses will play a central role in kick startig the economy. It is equally important that there is a disctinction between "IP rich" and those businesses who use the intellectual property of others without consent to create what appears to be "IP richness" so we look forward to further talks to ensure that utureproofing one of the UK's richest assets, the creative industries, remains in the forefront of discussion to create anticipatory policy