Minister highlights importance of Intellectual Property
Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, Minister for Industry and the Regions, speaks at the British Library
The British Library, 31 January 2006 - Minister for Industry and the Regions, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, today emphasised the importance to SMEs and entrepreneurs of getting to grips with the issue of Intellectual Property (IP). His speech, 'The Importance of Intellectual Property for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs' was delivered to an invited audience of entrepreneurs at the British Library. Also in attendance were representatives from the Library's partners, including Business Link for London, the Patent Office, the CBI, the IP Institute, the London Development Agency, Camden Enterprise, the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, ideas 21 and the London Chamber of Commerce.
The full text of the speech is available via the DTI press office on +44 (0)207 215 5614.
The minister was speaking after being given a 'hard-hat' tour of the British Library's Business & IP Centre, currently undergoing an extensive refit, which is due to open for use by entrepreneurs, creatives, inventors and general business researchers on 8 March.
Speaking at the site of the new centre, Industry and Regions Minister Rt Hon Alun Michael MP said:
"Technology is changing at a phenomenal rate, and businesses have had to adapt quickly. With information on 49 million patent specifications from 40 countries worldwide this new centre is a fantastic resource, providing businesses with the vital information and practical support they need to succeed.
"Enterprise is a key driver for our economy and is essential for the continued prosperity of the country. This state-of-the-art centre will help to encourage the "can do" attitude needed to ensure that that the UK continues to be one of the most enterprising places in the world."
The British Library's Chief Executive, Lynne Brindley welcomed the minister's endorsement, "Intellectual Property resources are at the heart of the Business & IP Centre's offering for entrepreneurs. As we transform the Centre from a successful pilot project to a permanent national resource, we expect to become, with the help of our business partners, the first stop for entrepreneurs and innovators who wish to research, protect and market their ideas."
The British Library's Business & IP Centre is designed to support entrepreneurs and SMEs from initial spark of inspiration through to successfully launching and developing a business. Users have free access to market research reports, industry journals, government statistics and up-to-the-minute online databases on patents, companies and market sectors. Information experts are on hand to guide people to the information they need and ensure that they make the most of the Centre. The Centre also acts as a gateway to the Library's other resources, such as the vast image bank, the sound archive and scientific and technical research. Dr Daniel Brown, Entrepreneur in Residence at University College London - said that, if he'd had access to the Centre [and its information] at the time he was setting up his business, he could have saved himself £20k on consultants' fees.
For further information from the DTI please contact the DTI press office on Tel: +44 (0)207 215 5614.
For further information from the British Library please contact: Ben Sanderson at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)1937 546126, email: ben.sanderson@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk )
Notes for editors:
1. June 2005 the London Development Agency awarded the British Library £1 million to transform its Business & IP Centre (BIPC) from a successful pilot project to a permanent resource. In the 12 months since it opened, over 25,000 business people have used the Centre, which is located at the main British Library site at St Pancras: www.bl.uk/news/2005/pressrelease20050511.html