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By Alexander Weir - July 2000
The protection of the intellectual property (IP) rights generated by European entrepreneurs and innovators has become a key issue for Europe’s enterprise society. Innovation is essential for enterprise development and for the competitiveness of European business. The European Commission (EC) identified the need to improve the protection and exploitation of these assets and in October 1998 established the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Helpdesk. The IPR-Helpdesk is the central reference point for IP inquiries throughout the European Union (EU).
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The IPR-Helpdesk has three main tasks: to offer IP advice and assistance to SME's and persons engaged in European Research Projects; to put callers in touch, where necessary with appropriate advisors or services; and to promote awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights for Europe.
To help achieve its main tasks, the IPR-Helpdesk uses two main communication channels:
The website provides a wealth of information for visitors from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition it is multilingual, and easily accessible even to those with limited computer facilities. Visitors can go directly to the relevant information on intellectual property in Europe. This is especially useful for those with minimal knowledge of IPR issues. The site is also an invaluable resource for those who need more details on patent issues. The IPR-Helpdesk site is constantly being updated and improved. Some regular features include:
Providing detailed information on the intellectual property and innovation situation in each EU Member State, as well as links to relevant organizations, information on patent search options, IPR training, and details of relevant events in your region.
A virtual gateway is provided to hundreds of the most relevant and up-to-date IPR-related sites and databases around the world. These links include patent offices, international organizations, European institutions, and patent search facilities.
A wide range of multimedia tutorials on IP subjects including participation in European Union funded research projects and on the intellectual property issues, which arise throughout such projects.
The IPR-Helpdesk website offers a direct entry point to the world's most extensive on-line patent search facility from the European Patent Organisation. A comprehensive multimedia tutorial is available to assist SME's and other laypersons in searching the esp@cenet service.
The IPR-Helpdesk on-line monthly newsletter is published on the website, with news and features sections to interest every reader. IP-Wire is available free-of-charge by email subscription.
The Helpline [2] is a service provided free-of-charge for anyone, but especially for persons engaged in EU research activities. Once registered, users can make enquiries by telephone, fax or email. Where required, the IPR-Helpdesk legal team will provide a written response in any EU language.
The team of legal experts is on-hand to deal with your IP queries at any stage of a research project. Potential research contractors can also make use of the service to help resolve any problems they may have regarding the bidding process in relation to IP.
Among the issues they are happy to provide assistance or information on, are questions related to the following:
Once you have registered with the IPR-Helpdesk, our legal team is able to take your call on +352 47 1 11 11.
This service is informative, rather than advisory. The Helpline will always suggest seeking professional advice and will not attempt to replace the services available from patent offices, patent agents, and lawyers.
For example, the IPR-Helpdesk does not:
From the earliest stages, people considering participation in an EU supported RTD (Research and Technological Development) project have to deal with Intellectual Property Rights questions of various degrees of complexity.
Often those taking part in such projects have little experience of the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights. Participation in RTD projects (and simply the day-to-day running of your organization) raises so many other pressing issues which demand your attention.
For those with technical competence or expertise in other areas, the legal issues raised by their projects can seem complex, difficult, and not worth the hassle. That is where the IPR-Helpdesk comes in.
Throughout your project, you will need to identify the potential Intellectual Property Rights requirements of your organization, raising questions on protecting these rights and ensuring your organization's fair share of the resulting benefits. To assist you we can offer:
We can also assist at the bidding phase for EU-supported RTD projects
Companies, research centres, and other organizations which are considering applying for Commission funding under the 5th Framework Programme will need to handle a number of IPR and contractual issues. The IPR-Helpdesk has been set-up to guide potential contractors on how best to handle such issues, including:
The IPR-Helpdesk is your single point of contact for all questions relating to intellectual property. Our multilingual legal team will analyse your questions and provide you with a prompt and unique service dedicated to entrepreneurs and innovators throughout Europe.
Whatever stage you are at:
contact the specialists at the IPR-Helpdesk for guidance and assistance as to the protection of your IP assets.
By providing on-line information on intellectual property rights and assisting with patent issues through an on-line help desk, we are working to ensure that SME’s and others benefit fully from projects they undertake under the Commission Framework Programmes. The services and assistance provided by the IPR-Helpdesk enable contractors and others, to protect their rights and access the other mandatory tools such as the Technological Implementation Plan (TIP) which is designed to ensure adequate IPR management. On the other hand LIFT supports and directs participants in Community research programmes to sources of finance for the exploitation of their results, which ensures that projects are beneficial to Europe’s enterprise culture.
To order an IPR-Helpdesk CD-ROM or any of our educational literature send an e-mail request to the promotion email account [3].
The services of the IPR-Helpdesk are free and can be accessed via the Internet [1].
Whatever questions you have regarding any aspect of intellectual property let our legal team guide you to understand and protect your Intellectual Property Rights. The IPR-Helpdesk your single point of contact for all questions on Intellectual Property Rights
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Alexander Weir
IPR-Helpdesk
64-66, avenue Victor Hugo,
L-1750 Luxembourg
<http://www.cordis.lu/ipr-helpdesk>
alexander.weir@ipr-helpdesk.org
Phone: +352 47 11 11 1
Fax: +352 47 11 11 60
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For citation purposes:
Weir, A. "Supporting Europe's Entrepreneurs and Innovators with Intellectual Property issues",
Cultivate Interactive, issue 1, 3 July 2000
URL: <http://www.cultivate-int.org/issue1/ipr/>
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