Greater Birmingham & Solihull Intellectual Property Strategy

Companies increasingly derive more of their value in knowledge assets than physical. There is evidence to show that businesses that manage their intellectual property well grow faster and are more resilient, having a better chance of survival and growth.
IP gives businesses opportunity and confidence in export - according to Inngot active IP management makes SMEs 10% more likely to report overseas turnover IP-intensive industries account for approximately 90% of the EU’s trade with the rest of the world.
As powers are devolved to new Combined Authorities across England, there are opportunities to work with local policy makers to develop a business support environment with increased intellectual property (IP) capability. The UK Intellectual Property Office is partnering with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to develop policy interventions that will raise IP capability in the area and ensure support for SMEs to understand their IP assets and derive value from them, thereby growing their business and contributing to the local economy.
The IP strategy that has been developed recommends an IP Forum to bring together IP capabilities in universities, the public and private sector. It also proposes projects through ERDF to extend an IP Audits programme for SMEs, provide subsidies for protection and pilot lending against IP through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. Further to this, business advisors in the Growth Hub will be trained in an IP Maste