IP may be your most valuable asset but over-caution can stunt business growth
of patent applications
66 % filed with the IPO in 2015 originated from the UK
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Advice for SMEs
Phillip Price ASSOCIATE , DEHNS
IP may be your most valuable asset but over-caution can stunt business growth
Phillip is a chartered UK and European Patent Attorney handling work in various biotechnology , pharmaceutical , nutraceutical , cosmetic and veterinary science fields
Dr Barbara Rigby ASSOCIATE , DEHNS
Barbara is a chartered UK and European Patent Attorney handling all areas of biology and medicine
Gaining access to the scientific expertise within universities can be beneficial to businesses , particularly to SMEs that do not have significant internal scientific resources . It is therefore counterintuitive that SMEs are less likely than large companies to participate in collaborative research projects with universities . Concerns about protecting Intellectual Property ( IP ) provide a large part of the explanation .
We often hear from SMEs that their reluctance to collaborate on research is based on a desire to retain control of their IP and to avoid IP ownership disputes .
SMEs are also concerned about unplanned public disclosures being made by the collaborator , particularly university academics . IP is usually a scientific SME ’ s most valuable asset , so such concerns are understandable . But these issues can be addressed and an over-cautious , noncollaborative approach may stunt the company ' s growth .
Most successful companies take a pragmatic approach to IP challenges and actively collaborate with others . The chance of collaboration disputes relating to IP can be minimised through the implementation of transparent agreements before projects begin .
Read online at : ukspa . org . uk / breakthrough spring 2017 | UKSPA breakthrough | 33