Free copyright and IP short courses

Plymouth City Council’s library service is offering free short courses on protecting business ideas, thanks to funding from the Intellectual Property Office.

Based at the Central Library, Plymouth PATLIB serves the whole of the South West as part of a network of Patent Information Centres across the UK. It provides free information and help with copyright, trademarks, patents and designs.

The workshops are aimed at anyone who needs to know more about intellectual property (IP) and how to protect their business ideas through patents, copyright, trademarks or design registration.

Every business or new idea has something that can be protected using IP rights and the library’s PATLIB service provides information to help budding entrepreneurs ensure they are compliant in intellectual property issues.

The ‘IP Basics for Charities session on Friday 26 September is suitable for charity staff or trustees dealing with marketing and income generation. ‘Copyright and Creative Commons’ on Friday 10 October will particularly appeal to photographers, artists, writers and anyone working in the creative industries.

Finally, to mark Enterprise Week, PATLIB will be offering ‘IP from the Start for Start-Ups’ on Tuesday 18 November. Starting a new business is a stressful time but PATLIB will take the worry out of one area by explaining the basics of IP rights in one afternoon session.

The workshops will be led by James Barisic; a marketing, engagement and communications specialist who works with businesses, charities and other organisations. James is a former solicitor specialising in corporate and charity law, who ran a marketing and training company in the UK before emigrating to Brittany, where he now works as a business and marketing advisor for organisations in France and the UK.

Deputy Council Leader Peter Smith said: “By running sessions like this we can help businesses protect their ideas and designs and avoid potentially expensive pitfalls. Our PATLIB service offers free advice and support on a range of issues, including registering a design, trademarking and patents – as well as ensuring you don’t infringe on other people’s intellectual property.”

All of the sessions will take place in Plymouth Central Library from 12.30pm until 3pm.

For more information and to book your place visit http://plymouthlibraryevents.eventbrite.co.uk, call 01752 306795 or email patlibplymouth@plymouth.gov.uk.