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N. 13, Feb - Mar 2004
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 | Editorial
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Europe is at a turning point for IP and innovation
Ron Marchant,
new Chief Executive at the U.K. Patent and Trademark Office.
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Ron Marchant joined the United Kingdom Patent Office in 1969 as a patent examiner. In January he was appointed as Chief Executive of the Patent Office, before his appointment he was Deputy Director. It is worth noting that Ron was instrumental in the introduction of computer systems to the UK Patent Office and recognises the importance of internet delivery mechanisms such as the support activities undertaken by the IPR-Helpdesk project. In this his first interview with the IPR-Helpdesk, Ron outlines his thoughts on the future of IP in the UK and Europe for the next few years.
IPR-Helpdesk: "How do you view the current state of IP in the UK and Europe?"
Ron Marchant: "I have taken over the job of Chief Executive at a turning point in the world of IP both domestically and internationally especially in relation to the forthcoming entry of the accession countries to the EU in May this year. I have done some work in the accession states and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to create with them and the wider EU a common European voice on the international field as regards IP. The IP community globally should take account of the concerns of developing countries and having a European Union so rich in nations helps us to speak with expertise and conviction on such issues. Both Europeans and the Japanese believe that one has to make allowances as people and economies develop. There is a programme of upping the awareness of IP currently underway across Europe so that business makes as much use of it as possible in order to generate business and this is improving steadily. Now is also a good time domestically where we have significant support from the UK government to strike out in new areas to support business so now is a very interesting time in IP.
IPR-Helpdesk: "Do you see the roles of National Offices changing in the next few years?"
Ron Marchant: "The UK government has stated clearly that IP is at the heart of creating the knowledge based economy and from the standpoint of the UK patent Office we are moving away from the traditional role as a rights administrator. We are looking to embed what we know in the process of supporting industry to extract maximum value, it's all about adding value to that process and IP can add significant value to that goal. Our model is very similar to that of the Nordic countries like Sweden and Denmark. Significantly we were one of the first offices to get into the customer support area which we share with the accession countries who are now being tasked by their governments with creating value as more and more people are realising the economic value of IP for the European economy, so I believe that national offices across Europe will see a change as we work with others and the EPO to enhance the services we provide to business.
IPR-Helpdesk: "The IPR-Helpdesk is a support tool for innovation in Europe how do you see its role in the future?"
Ron Marchant: "I see the IPR-Helpdesk as a great support tool for business in Europe. SMEs and innovators need IP information about other member states. The IPR-Helpdesk is in a prime position to offer that information bridge to help businesses. National offices have national information in their native language, the opportunity for the IPR-Helpdesk, in my view, is to be that support linking business and the innovation community assisting those wanting to know about IP across borders a real bridge to innovation in Europe."
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