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Small businesses in the UK are being offered the chance to have a full intellectual property audit by the government.
Plans unveiled by the science and innovation minister, Malcolm Wicks, will see around 40 small firms being asked to undergo a three-day audit in order to maximise the value of their intellectual property (IP) assets.
Four regional development agencies will pioneer the initiative, which is part of wider efforts by the government to do more to encourage innovation and company formation.
Mr Wicks says that asset protection is essential if companies are to maximise their economic potential.
"Every business uses aspects of intellectual property, the name it trades under, process it uses or the products or services it provides," he explained.
"The IP audit pilots will help up to 40 small firms in the manufacturing, service, high tech, creative and other sectors identify what intellectual property exists and offer advice to protect, use and maximise its value.
"It is just one of a number of new initiatives designed to help businesses raise their IP game in the face of growing global competition," he added.
The move follows the publication of the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property last December which revealed more could be done to capitalise on innovation and creativity within business.
Among the other plans the government has promised to undertake to improve the UKs success with IP is to offer guidance for firms operating overseas and also to try to use patent mapping to identify market trends for particular products or services.
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