Originally Published 22 March 2002

Britain's best innovators can learn how to make the most of their creative ideas thanks to a new guide launched by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury.

The Managing Intellectual Property guide provides strategic advice to universities about how to safeguard their creations and inventions.

Produced by the DTI, Patent Office, Universities UK and Associaton of University Research and Industry Links, the guide aims to highlight key themes and share the good practice found in UK universities in managing intellectual property. It contains crucial advice on:

• budget management - how to reduce investment risks and how financial returns can be negotiated by a university


• ownership of intellectual property and negotiations with sponsors
• collaboration between universities to manage intellectual property
• performance indicators and evaluation - how university managers can identify problems and opportunities relating to intellectual property management and modity their budgets and strategies accordingly

Lord Sainsbury said:

"The UK has some of the best scientific brains in the world, Helping turn their new ideas into prosperity and jobs is essential in maintaining the strenght of the UK economy.

By managing intellectual property effectively the UK can take full advantage of research, bringing potential improvements in quality of life, and increased prosperity. I hope the advice in this guide will support our universities in turning brilliant research into excellent business."

Copies of the guide are available at the Patent Office website or by telephoning 01633 813755

For further information on intellectual property at Warwick, please contact Ederyn Williams at Warwick Ventures.
Tel: 024 7632 3315

Email: ederyn.williams@warwick.ac.uk