Business News

Irish companies are losing millions through unseen intellectual property

By Business & Finance
11 August 2015
IP Law Cafe UL
Pictured (L-R): Paul Dillon, director, Technology Transfer Office, University of Limerick and Ray Friel, School of Law, University of Limerick

The University of Limerick today announced the launch of the IP Café – a comprehensive 13 workshop series tackling the commercial aspects of intellectual property (IP), including patent protection and international trademark issues.

According to leading law academic at the University of Limerick, Ray Friel, most businesses do not know or understand the complete spectrum of tools available to protect and exploit IP assets to the full.

Paul Dillon, director, Technology Transfer Office, University of Limerick said: “The primary assets of tech intensive companies are no longer factories and machines; increasingly, the value in a company is in the innovative ideas and concepts underpinning the products and services traded by the company. The University is working actively to enable companies to better manage their intellectual assets through its research and innovation activities. This IP Café series is a logical step in our efforts to reach out and engage with the industry on this important topic.”

Ray Friel, School of Law, University of Limerick explains: “If Ireland is to truly create a 21st century economy it is going to have to effectively manage a national IP policy. Changes in both technology and the legal framework will create a radically new environment for which both government and industry appear unprepared.”

“The IP Law Café is an attempt to bring together everyone interested in IP issues, including business people, scientists, engineers, accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, HR personnel and others, to both learn about the changing IP environment and to start the conversation on a new and radical unified approach to IP management.”

The free 13-part workshop and networking series will begin on September 17th and runs until December 2016 with speakers from Arthur Cox, the Patent Office, University of New Hampshire, University of Maine, William Fry Solicitors, Tomkins IP and the University of Limerick.

The series has been organised by the International Commercial and Economic Law Research Group, University of Limerick.

For further information, click here.