British Standard for IP services BS 8538

A new standard is being proposed which is "aimed primarily at the providers of commercial or advisory IP services" these include the IPO , Business Link , universities that specialize in invention and product design and inventors clubs.

The standard sets out to prevent "false representation of Intellectual property promotion services whereby the originator and developer of the idea is enticed to disclose the idea before securing the intellectual property rights resulting in the originator being subsequently unable to obtain valid protection for his idea and potentially, in the idea being commercially exploited by others"

IPinsight article

BSI is calling for comments on the draft standard from all interested parties by 31st JULY
you can see the draft here:

With football in mind....

The latest UKIPO seminar on Friday 2nd July was at Blackburn Rovers Enterprise Centre, Ewood Park entitled "Create and Protect Your Business Brand". Manchester PATLIB had a stand there to advertise our services and provide information. The event was organised by Pennine Lancashire Business Net, who run a monthly series of events for SMEs in their network. Extremely popular, an afternoon repeat performance had to be scheduled to cope with the numbers wanting to attend and it was still fully booked. A very useful event for us to publicise our new address and return of business and IP services.

Always up to the minute Gary Townley and David Hopkins (UKIPO) provided some topical information relating to World Cup trade marks and registered designs. With typical Welsh concern for England supporters who may require support in their hour of need they passed on this freephone helpline number 0800 4-1,4-1,4-1...

Chris Brown

Manchester PATLIB has moved!

Just to complement Maria's update on our new address, here is a picture of Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD. Service was resumed on Monday 28th June. Contact details are the same - e-mail: patlib@manchester.gov.uk phone: 0161 234 1397. Please note that the phone is no longer a fax connection.

For those of you who know Manchester, Elliot House is a listed office building and was built in 1878 to house the School Board Offices. It has also been a registrar's office, registering births, deaths and marriages. For more pictures of the beautiful architectural details and interesting historical notes see the following article by Jonathan Schofield http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/Culture/Architecture/The-Good-the-Standard-and-the-Ugly-Elliot-House_10209.asp

Chris Brown