UK-based business, Oxa was the first company in the UK to test self-driving cars on public roads as part of Project Endeavour, an Innovate UK-funded trial. We caught up with Oxa’s Head of Licencing and IP Management Alex Tame to find out how owning IP has played a role in the research, production and scaling of their innovative AV technology.  ..read more

This year Disney is celebrating its 100th anniversary but did you know that the original version of one of Disney’s most iconic and popular characters, Mickey Mouse, has recently been released from its copyright worldwide?  ..read more

Next up in our ‘Meet the Board’ series is Chris Mills, the Director of Rights Policy and Enforcement. Chris spoke to us about how his career story started, and his highlights since joining the IPO two years ago ..read more

Wheeling their way into the future, are Hornit - an innovative and creative British business that produces a wide range of cycling products. We spoke to their CEO Tom de Pelet about how Hornit has grown and how intellectual property rights have strengthened his business. Find out how to protect your IP using our guidance pages. Hornit's bike rack, CLUG, holding bikes upright. Copyright © Hornit, 2019 ‘The world’s loudest and the world’s smallest’ The Hornit business started with the invention of the loudest bicycle horn in the world, the Hornit dB140. Created to make riding in busy towns a ..read more

At the Intellectual Property Office we like to celebrate intellectual property every day. British IP Day, however, gives us that extra excuse for sharing some great IP success stories. We spoke to three very different companies whose valuable Intellectual property has elevated their success to another level. Together with support from Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Growth Hubs and partners Innovate UK Edge, they have used IPO’s free IP business tools and the IP Audit scheme to identify and use the IP in their business to help them grow.   VisitMôr - enhancing and enriching magical vi ..read more

Every year, on the 26 April, World IP Day is celebrated across the globe. Hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization, it has a new focus each year. The theme for 2022 is ‘Innovation and Youth’. Innovation without limits The world is an exciting place for young innovators. Our constantly evolving, increasingly eye-opening environment offers a diversity of opportunity for all ages to create and have their content seen on a worldwide scale.   The IPO partners with Aardman for the Cracking Ideas Competition to encourage young people to think about innovation. The 2021 Key S ..read more

Did you know that intellectual property (IP) is likely to play a part in the foundation of every business, generating key assets to kickstart future success? This might be when you protect your name or business logo, protect your designs and the technical ways in which your product works, or when you protect your original literary, musical or artistic creations. IP protection through patents, trade marks, designs and copyright can be instrumental in a business’ survival and growth. The Levelling Up White Paper – some background  The government unveiled its Levelling Up White Paper in Feb ..read more

The AI and IP consultation was launched in October. IPO CEO Tim Moss looks at the consultation’s role in the global drive to understand how IP can best support AI innovation, within the framework of the government’s National AI Strategy. ‘The UK is a global superpower in AI and is well placed to lead the world over the next decade as a genuine research and innovation powerhouse, a hive of global talent and a progressive regulatory and business environment.’ – UK  National AI Strategy   So, why are we holding a consultation on AI and IP?   The National AI Strategy, published in ..read more

Getting into costume can be fun for any occasion, but there’s one universal time of year when you’re more likely to see anyone and everyone dressing up. As 2021 seems more hopeful than the last year, I’m sure many will be digging out that vampire or zombie costume from the back of the wardrobe for a Halloween party. Parents across the country are heading to the shops to stock up on the latest costumes for their children for a fun night of trick or treating. [Image] Creeping it real at Halloween - how to stay safe by avoiding counterfeit costumes. One thing you may not have considered, is mak ..read more

The IPO Business Engagement team frequently attends trade shows and business events across the UK to support sectors and advise on different aspects of intellectual property. IPO Digital Communications Officer, Oliver Downey, recently attended The Photography Show at the NEC Birmingham alongside the team, where copyright was centre stage. It was remarkable to see the incredible new technology on display and how intellectual property was being used to protect inventions and works. We received lots of questions about photography, copyright, and the ways in which you can protect your creative la ..read more