The government has said that intellectual property (IP) is to play a central role in implementing its innovation strategy.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has announced new plans to launch a new ‘IP Access’ fund to help businesses grow and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Office said that the fund would build on the existing IP audit plus programme and support businesses to manage and commercialise their IP.

The government plans to launch a new, free, fit for purpose support offer for businesses and organisations to make the most of their IP in overseas markets. The service will consist ‘self-serve’ online materials and clearer routes to access the UK’s network of IP experts based in key export markets around the world.

The IPO will also extend its education programme to reach more higher education-based researchers during the next academic year.

Meanwhile, the government body will consult a number of issues to strengthen the UK’s IP system. In the Autumn, it will consult on the protection of inventions and creations made by artificial intelligence (AI) with minimal human input. 

Following its 2020 call for views, the IPO will look at options to address whether patents should be granted to inventions, and copyright should apply to creative works, created by AI.

The IPO will also lead a call for views to better understand how the current framework for Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) is functioning to support innovation, and to establish whether change is needed. 


“Innovation is critical in tackling the UK’s biggest challenges both now and in the future,” said IPO chief executive Tim Moss. “The UK’s new Innovation Strategy is the starting point for the government’s long-term vision of how we will cement our role as global leaders in innovation and deliver the target of R&D investment at 2.4 per cent of GDP - and it has IP running through the heart of it.” 

Moss added: "The strategy recognises that a strong IP system, that protects and allows for a return on investment on ideas, creates the confidence on which this success is built.”

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