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NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Intellectual Property & Clean Technology Sarah Jones Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Outline • Context of Intellectual Property and clean technology in the UK • Overview of the Intellectual Property Office’s approach to clean tech • Green Channel is not enough, what else can we do? Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED UK commitments • Scientific consensus climate change is happening • Temperature needs to stay below 2 degrees relative to preindustrial level • UK’s Climate Change Act 2008 – reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 34% below 1990 baseline by 2020 • 3 areas responsible for 80% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions: i) generating our electricity; ii) heat for homes and businesses; iii) powering cars and vehicles Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED IP’s role • The IP system needs to play a more important role in promoting/incentivising technological innovation • Inventions in energy sector take an average of 24 years to reach the mass market.1 • The IP system should: i. work efficiently, without undue delays to granting ii. facilitate commercialisation and speed up diffusion 1. Chatham House – Who Owns Our Low Carbon Future? Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED IPO’s role • World class office – with a good reputation for rights granting – Green channel – acceleration of rights granting • The IPO has a portfolio of IP products and services to help businesses start and grow • Better information, better incentives, supporting/enabling collaboration Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED UK Green Channel • Launched in May 2009 • Fast-track to grant on request • 391 applications, 84 patents granted Other 28% Energy-saving devices 30% • Average time 8 months • Positive response from business Water power Recycling 8% 10% Vehicle Wind power technology 7% 11% Solar power 6% – Accelerated timetable to commercialisation – Crucial factor in securing investment – “We have been able to bring forward expansion plans and develop new customers with far greater confidence knowing that our intellectual property is protected” Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED The IPO’s approach to clean tech – better information • • • • • Work on transparency and usability of patent data EPO work IPC Green Inventory Licence of Right database Should govt have a role in how this information is used? Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED IPO’s approach to clean tech – better understanding incentives • Licensing advice – www.ipo.gov.uk/licensingbooklet.pdf • Work with UK Trade&Investment • Other models: – Japanese network of licensing advisors – US ‘humanitarian pilot’ • Licence of Right • Wider business support Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED IPO’s approach to clean tech – supporting collaboration • Wider govt approach to clean tech • Clean Energy Group research suggests IPR solutions ‘normal business practices’ • Collaborative R&D framework – in China and Brazil Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.cleanegroup.org/Reports www.ipo.gov.uk NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Summary • Intellectual property has a key role in meeting UK, and international, clean tech aspirations • The Intellectual Property Office’s green channel is successful at reducing time to grant • But we need to do more to influence the system after granting Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk