Development of an IP support service in Wales Nia Roberts IP Manager, Welsh Assembly Government

1. Development of an IP support service in Wales Nia RobertsIP Manager, Welsh Assembly Government

2. Overview Background Business Innovation Operating Model Research Initial Proposals PATLIB 2009 – learning about Logic Models Applying Logic Model theory Using the Logic Model to challenge our preconceptions Current thinking

3. Background • Economic Development in Wales is a function of the Welsh Assembly Government • Range of IP support activities funded over number of years • Wales Innovators Network supporting individuals & micro-businesses • Team of Innovation Managers supporting SMEs and larger businesses • IP Manager • Innovation support integrated with general business support • EU funding secured for Business Innovation Project

4. Business Innovation ProjectOperating Model Subsidised Consultancy Manufacturing Support Design Support Subsidised Consultancy Subsidised Consultancy R&D & New Product Development Support Licensing Opportunities Licensing Opportunities IP Licensing Opportunities

5. Research www.proinno-europe.eu/admin/uploaded_documents/Benchmarking-Report-SME.pdf • EU Pro-Inno report (2007) • Support IP management (not just patents) • IP support integrated with other business support • Essential to have suitably qualified / experienced personnel • Must be visible • Programmes must be well evaluated • Extremely valuable source

6. Research • Many other sources e.g. • June 2007 European Commission report “A Memorandum on Removing Barriers for a Better Use of IPR by SMEs” - IP support via “technology agencies” rather than national patent offices – proposes a public / private partnership approachhttp://www.proinno-europe.eu/NWEV/uploaded_documents/IPR_Expert_group_report_final_23_07_07.pdf • Study into the impact of the Intellectual Assets Centre in Scotland – suggests that web-based tools, no matter how well-designed, are not enough; one-to-one support should be an important element of business support in the IP area. “Managing intellectual assets in SMEs: evaluating the scope for policy intervention” (Huggins, Robert; Weir, Maria) International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, Volume 4, Number 4, 19 December 2007 , pp. 412-429(18) • Lots more research – too much to list here

7. Initial Proposals Two drop-in centres (North & South Wales) PATLIB accreditation? Range of support from idea to commercialisation Subscriptions to paid-for IP databases Integrated with business support colleagues, both innovation-focussed and general Encouraging networks with private sector suppliers; guiding and supporting SMEs and individuals to access professional advice Training events

8. PATLIB 2009 PATLIB2009 in Sofia “Building on Best Practice” • http://www.epo.org/about-us/events/patlib2009/training.html

9. Introduction to Logic Models • Seminars: • “Ensuring quality - evaluating PATLIBs” -Alfred Radauer, Technopolis(link from http://www.epo.org/about-us/events/patlib2009/training.html ) • Quality Management Systems (e.g. ISO9000 etc.) • Appropriate levels of evaluation – logic models are a useful tool • Cf. W. K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guidehttp://www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub3669.pdf • “Contrast your resources… against what you can actually do and achieve… …Stay focussed and realistic!”

10. Introduction to Logic Models From page 4 of W. K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide - http://www.wkkf.org/Pubs/Tools/Evaluation/Pub3669.pdf

11. Incorporating goals into the logic model Source – Alfred Radauer op cit.

12. Applying Logic Model theory • Mission Statement What do we want the IP Support programme to do? • The IP service aims to increase awareness of IP in Wales and to encourage and support Wales-base enterprises (primarily SMEs, both existing and pre-start) to understand, protect and exploit Intellectual Property. • Goals • Use IP to support R&D & commercialisation activity within Wales • Raise awareness of IP • Train Welsh enterprises in IP • Enable Welsh enterprises to realise the full value of their IP assets • Inputs & Resources… • Activities… • Output… • Outcome… • Impact…

13. Using the Logic Model to challenge our preconceptions Two drop-in centres (North & South Wales) Why? Would SMEs use a drop-in centre? Why not a virtual IP Centre which can be accessed in a number of locations e.g. onsite at SME premises or at a business centre? PATLIB accreditation Is this essential? May not be achievable. Range of support from idea to commercialisation Yes – this fits well Subscriptions to paid-for IP databasesWhy? Mission is to raise IP awareness & encourage business to exploit IP – why not help clients to access (excellent) free online resources & signpost / fund professional search services where relevant? Integrated with business support colleagues, both innovation-focussed and general This is a given due to organisational structure, but should work well Encouraging networks with private sector suppliers; guiding and supporting SMEs and individuals to access professional advice Yes – central to mission Training events Yes – central to mission

14. Working Together for Wales Welsh Assembly Government

15. Conclusions Use of Logic Model has helped focus our IP support Better use of resources New programme will also be easier to evaluate Thank you Mr. Radauer! Thanks for listening