ip4inno II
Background
The first ip4inno project ran during 2007 and 2008. It was co-funded by the European Commission (as part of the Sixth Framework Programme - Research and Innovation) and 19 partner institutions from EU member and candidate states with a budget of EUR 4m. The European Patent Office acted as co-ordinator of the project and partners, and took the lead in implementing two "work packages": WP3 for developing a project website and WP4 for gathering and developing IP training material. Amongst other things, this led to the creation of twelve 3-hour IP teaching modules (comprising PowerPoint files, teaching notes, case studies and problem exercises) on a range of applied IP strategy topics including commercialisation, licensing, financing, valuation, enforcement and patent information.
The material was intended to give business advisors and technology transfer officers a basic understanding of the practical aspects of IP in new and growing industries, especially amongst small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The project partners ran over 60 training events around Europe using this material, and reached over 800 trainees, many of whom then went on to train others, in accordance with the "train the trainers" philosophy of the project.
Objectives
The follow-up project, ip4inno II, has a narrower scope than the first, and principally focuses on:
- updating and expanding the range of IP teaching materials from the first project;
- adapting these materials to local situations, translating them into other languages and converting some of them to e-Learning;
- building a self-sustaining network of ip4inno trainers.
More information on the project's activities can be read in the Description of Work ("DoW").
Partners
The first project had a consortium of 19 institutions - comprising the EPO and national patent offices, universities, and agencies expert in business support. Conversely, ip4inno II is run solely by the EPO, in accordance with a contract from the Directorate General Enterprise & Industry of the European Commission (EC). However the EPO is inviting former and new partners to get involved in this second project, so as to bring in new material and ideas that will enrich the existing stock. The EPO is also looking for many more trainers who will use the ip4inno material (supplied for free!) to spread the word about good IP strategies to their own local audiences of business intermediaries, SMEs and start-ups.
Contacts
Project co-ordination:
Jeremy Philpott
Unit Manager, Innovation Support
European Patent Academy
European Patent Office
Tel. +49 (0)89 2399 5405
Fax +49 (0)89 2399 5279
jphilpott@epo.org
Zuzana Belohradska
External Administrator, Innovation Support
European Patent Academy
European Patent Office
Tel. +49 (0)89 2399 5672
Fax +49 (0)89 2399 5279
zbelohradska@epo.org