Supporting Welsh IP: Shaping the Future

1. Supporting Welsh IP:Shaping the Future Nia Roberts BSc(Hons) CPA CPhys MInstPDepartment for the Economy & TransportWelsh Assembly GovernmentLlys Llywelyn, Ffordd Richard DaviesSt. AsaphLL17 0LJ nia.roberts@wales.gsi.gov.uk 01745 586225

2. Introducing myself Nia Roberts • BSc (Hons) Physics • Former European Patent Examiner • Chartered Patent Attorney, qualified European Patent Attorney • Member of Technology & Innovation Team, Department for the Economy & Transport, Welsh Assembly Government • Supporting Welsh SMEs with innovation & technology issues • Currently working on proposed new IP support project

3. UNITEDKINGDOMINTELLECTUALPROPERTYOFFICE Supporting Welsh IP – Past:Pioneers in branding innovation St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio of the red cave

4. Supporting Welsh IP: Shaping the Future • Background • Driving factors • Future plans

5. Supporting Welsh IP:Background IP Wales • Award-winning programme - awareness-raising, grant funding, IP research, first PATLIB in Wales • Based at University of Swansea, led by Andrew Beale – currently working on secondment to WIPO • With Welsh Assembly Government funding

6. Supporting Welsh IP:Background Wales Innovators Network (WIN) • Award-winning Welsh Assembly Government Initiative - part of Technology & Innovation team • Helping individual innovators to progress their ideas • Support with IP, market research, prototyping, testing, manufacture, commercialisation • Structured Development Plan

7. Supporting Welsh IP:Background Innovation Manager Team • Science / Technology background, several PhD level • Sector expertise (e.g. Geoscience, Optoelectronics, Electrochemistry, Composites, Semiconductors…) • Private sector experience • Part of Welsh Assembly Government business support team • 12 focus on Welsh SMEs; 3 focus on individual innovators (WIN) • IP Accreditation from UK IPO / Coventry University • Help with funding, testing, academic expertise, collaborative partners, basic understanding of IP system, introduction to esp@cenet searching, signposting & funding to access professional help

8. Supporting Welsh IP:Driving factors UK Government Gowers Review (Dec. 2006) • Improve IP support to SMEs – increased collaboration with UKIPO • Provide support for business-to-business licensing EU Pro-Inno report (2007) www.proinno-europe.eu/admin/uploaded_documents/Benchmarking-Report-SME.pdf • Support IP management (not just patents) • IP support integrated with other business support • Essential to have suitably qualified / experienced personnel • Programmes must be well evaluated EU - “An Industrial Property Strategy for Europe” (2008) ec.europa.eu/internal_market/indprop/docs/rights/communication_en.pdf • Encourages member states to support industrial property rights and raise awareness of intellectual asset management for all businesses

9. Supporting Welsh IP:Driving factors PATLIB trends • More than Patent Information Centres – increased emphasis on commercially-focussed IP and innovation support • Clients require: • Database search services, • User IP training, • Technology transfer services, • Access to professional advice (one-stop shop) ( Taken from a presentation by Georg Artelsmair of the EPO to the 2008 PATLIB conference)

10. Supporting Welsh IP:Future Plans • Applying for funding under the EU Convergence and Competitiveness programmes • Two IP, Business and Technology Centres, one in North Wales and one in South Wales • Aiming to include PATLIB centres • Continue to work as part of the Welsh Assembly Government team • Offering a range of help to SMEs from idea to commercialisation • Integrated with business support colleagues, both innovation-focussed and general • Good networks with private sector suppliers • Guide and support SMEs and individuals to access professional advice

11. Supporting Welsh IP