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Previous Issues:

IPR-Helpdesk Bulletin
2005 - 2007

IPR-Helpdesk Bulletin
2002 - 2004

	N. 37, January - March 2008

Editorial

The new framework that brings together activities of the IPR-Helpdesk and 19 National Patent Offices

Manuel Palomar
Vice-President for Research Development and Innovation
on behalf of the Scientific Coordination Committee of the IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs project

Since November 2007 the IPR-Helpdesk has been an active partner in the newly created IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs project. This ambitious project brings together two important Europe-wide initiatives under one umbrella action: the first is the IPR-Helpdesk, which will continue to provide the Helpline and training mechanisms for current and potential contractors in EC-funded RTD projects, and the second is InnovAccess, created by 19 European National Patent Offices to provide information on services. This important initiative aims to improve usage of and access to research, exploitation and innovation in Europe.

Among the objectives of IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs, I would like to underline the following: raise SMEs’ understanding of the need to integrate IP into their innovation strategies and their business planning; improve the protection of SMEs’ IP rights through the increased registration of rights EU-wide and also internationally and increase the use of non-registered protection methods through the effective promotion of these methods; improve SMEs’ protection and enforcement of their IP rights from infringement originating both within and outside the EU; raise SMEs’ ability to fight counterfeiting and increase knowledge on the methods available to detect it; develop actions to promote awareness of IPR protection to educate the fashion and design industries (textiles, leather, footwear and furniture) on the risks counterfeiting poses and on the existing means and procedures to combat it; and promote and support the use of IP rights in international research, development and technology transfer activities, providing an IP rights support service to current and potential beneficiaries of CIP and Research Framework Programme actions, especially high-tech SMEs and Public Research Organisations.

For these purposes, we will work on the development of IPR SME awareness strategies for IPR usage and enforcement bringing together the main existing institutions and services and on a toolbox of materials on IPR and enforcement issues, including manuals and training materials. We will also continue to provide training for multipliers, to provide a wide range of SME awareness and enforcement actions and to support SME advice services. Awareness workshops will be also organised particularly for the design and fashion industries, along with supporting multilingual manuals. We will support potential beneficiaries of CIP and RTD Framework Programme actions on IPR questions and will continue to organise activities for capacity building, the creation of national and regional networks and synergies, and the enhanced European-wide cooperation in the IP and innovation field.

With all these activities, IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs aims to create an opportunity to develop strategic cooperation between service-related IPR programmes. The European status of the project allows effective dissemination of good practices. The the following outputs and services are anticipated:

A Web portal that will contain documents, case studies, practical information for SMEs, contacts and signposting for relevant services;
Setting up local helpdesks for SMEs and their advisors to provide first-line support in IP and enforcement issues;
Development of strategies on local IP awareness and enforcement;
A Helpdesk and info-service providing an IP rights support service to current and potential beneficiaries of CIP and Research Framework Programme actions

In the context of the Lisbon goal of establishing a knowledge based society, the IP Awareness and Enforcement: Modular Based Actions for SMEs project aims to address specific industry and SME needs in the area of IPR usage and enforcement. The Europe-wide unification of IPR services related to innovation and enforcement represents a challenge for Member States, particularly for new Member States. In addition, there is currently no transnational framework for national programmes in this field, and the cooperation activities developed to date have been limited. We hope we can help reduce these problems and promote the internationalisation of SME activities in fields related to innovation.