A recent report from the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) suggests that British businesses are falling behind other European countries in the international patent protection of their technology. The CIPA report reveals that UK companies are filing patents in key markets of Europe and China at rates of up to 40% less than their French and German counterparts.
By securing international intellectual property (IP) rights businesses can obtain exclusive rights which enable them to prevent competitors in overseas markets from copying their innovations. Nevertheless, businesses should not put the cart before the horse. Simply having patents overseas does not make a business successful. Filing patent applications overseas is a strategic decision that UK businesses should consider when they want to expand their innovations on a global scale.
Owning intellectual property rights outside the UK can make businesses more attractive to international partners and investors, and can also open up licensing opportunities.
UK businesses can make use of several pathways for obtaining overseas IP rights, these include the filing of International applications via the Patent Corporation Treaty, and filing of European patent applications.
Businesses thinking their approach to intellectual property overseas, whether they have existing portfolios or are considering entering new markets may be able to avail themselves of the UK IPO’s IP Advance programme which provides targeted support to innovative, high growth potential SME’s.
www.heip.co.uk