Midlands businesses step up innovation to beat the downturn

Forward-thinking businesses in the Midlands are stepping up their research and development activity in a bid to beat the downturn and give their business a competitive edge.

Based in Leamington Spa, Karl Barnfather, patent attorney at Withers & Rogers LLP and chairman of Fillip, the West Midlands Intellectual Property Forum, said:

"During lean times, it is not unusual for companies to step up investment in the protection of their valuable research and development activity. A dip in trading activity is typically seen as an important time to invest in innovation, ensuring that new or improved products and services are properly protected to maximise revenue from the innovation and new market creation.

A growing number of local, knowledge-based businesses, many of which benefit from having comparatively low overheads and operating costs, are focussing more on innovation. We have seen an 11% increase in demand for patent and trade mark advice in the Midlands over the past 12 months."

We at Withers & Rogers feel there is a risk that some businesses may be increasing their investment in research and development activity, without protecting their activity adequately. On 11 November 2008 at West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Fillip, the West Midlands Intellectual Property Forum, is hosting an event for local businesses offering practical advice on intellectual property matters.

Karl Barnfather adds:

"The event is being run by businesses for businesses, providing best practice case studies on effective protection strategies.

There is a risk that some businesses may already be in the process of developing products without having fully assessed their commercial value. If they are not careful they could end up unintentionally disclosing details of their inventions, which could prevent them from being able to file a patent in the future."

In 2007, a total of 1,188 patent applications were filed from the West Midlands, higher than many other regions of the UK including the East Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Karl Barnfather concludes:

"The Midlands region has a strong track record when it comes to innovation, so greater awareness of effective protection mechanisms for innovation will benefit the region in the longer term. It is vital that local companies continue to invest in research and development and seek early advice about patent protection."

For more information about the intellectual property event on 11 November, visit www.fillip.org.uk.