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Free advice on IP rights
07 Feb 2008
Inventors and entrepreneurs who want understand their IP (Intellectual Property) can take advantage of a series of free clinics run by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA). Teams of experts offer free basic advice to innovators who are at the early stages of developing an idea. Many firms of patent attorneys will also offer the first consultation free of charge.
A Patent Attorney (formerly known as a patent agent) has qualified by experience and examination for entry of his or her name on the Register of Patent Attorneys. Patent attorneys are specially trained and experienced in the art of drafting patents and in knowledge of intellectual property law. They are entitled to deal with related areas of law such as designs, copyright and trade marks as well as patents. The majority of patent attorneys are also Chartered Patent Attorneys, European Patent Attorneys, and Registered Trade Mark Attorneys.
More details on the free clinics are available an the CIPA website, www.cipa.org.uk
Inventors and entrepreneurs can book their place by contacting these organisers
Birmingham
Creative Insight, Central Library, Birmingham B3 3HQ.
Weekdays and every Wednesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact: Matthew Jelfs or Duncan Jones
Tel: 0121 303 4538
Fax: 0121 303 1354
E-mail: patents.library@birmingham.gov.uk
Leeds
Business & Patent Services, 3rd Floor Suite, Central Library, Municipal Building, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB. Once a month - Monday evening - appointment necessary. Contact: Ms Stef Stephenson - Tel: 0113 247 8266 Fax: 0113 247 8268 Email: piu@leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds Inventors Group
Talks, advice and networking for inventors and entrepreneurs Monthly in the Central Library. Tel: 0113 2478266.
Liverpool
Business and Technology Library, Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW.
Every alternate Tuesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact: Ms Ruth Grodner - Tel: 0151 233 5842.
E-mail: ruth.grodner@liverpool.gov.uk
London
The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, 95 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1DT. Clinics are held at the UK IPO, Harmsworth House, 13-15 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8DP, every Tuesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact Margaret Mitchell at CIPA. Tel: 020 7405 9450.
Manchester
Manchester Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD.
Every 3rd Tuesday of month 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. - appointment necessary. Contact: the Patents Clinic - Tel: 0161 234 1397 or E-mail: patlib@manchester.gov.uk
Sheffield
Business Science & Technology Library, Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield, S1 1XZ.
One day 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. every month - appointment necessary.
Contact: Lynne Hinchliff - Tel: 0114 273 4743 or Fax: 0114 273 5009 or
E-mail: businessandtech.library@sheffield.gov.uk
Southampton
Library Office, Central Library, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LW. 5-7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month.
Contact: The Library Office on 023 8083 4483 before 2 p.m. or
E-mail business.library@southampton.gov.uk
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Patents Advice Centre, First Floor, The Library, University of Northumbria, Sandyford Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST .
Contact: Hilary Good - Telephone 0191 260 3250; or email her on patents.advice@newcastle.gov.uk.
Yorkand North Yorkshire
Monthly all day patent clinics on the first Thursday of each month.
Organised by the York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and normally held in York, by appointment only. Contact Karl Elliott on 01904 629513 or karl.elliott@ynycc.com.
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