OK let's be honest, understanding what counts as Intellectual Property, how to protect it, how to use intellectual property owned by others and so on probably isn't number one on most managers list of 'must learn' topics.
We are surrounded by intellectual property which we and others create, yet many people are puzzled about the basics.
Why does the government have a whole department focused on intellectual property?
And when it comes to protecting your intellectual property people are equally bewildered.
What's the difference between Trademark, copyright and patent?
Do you need the skills and expense of a solicitor?
Isn't it a waste of time? Can you can stop people using your intellectual property?
If I protect something in the UK, is it protected globally?
As for using intellectual property which has been created by others, there are a series of common misconceptions.
If something is published on the internet or a book anyone can use it, right?
There aren't any real consequences of using someone else's intellectual property?
If the person who created the intellectual property says I can use it, there isn't a problem?
And more fundamentally people wonder why they should bother to understand more about this topic.
Why not share our intellectual property freely with anyone who wants to use it?
Isn't it only big organisations that make money from intellectual property?
If someone else made money from your idea or, stopped you from being able to use the intellectual property you or your organisation created, would you be more interested to know more?
If you would like to know the answers to the questions above and more, CMI Southern will be running a webinar in conjunction with the UK Intellectual Property Office at 6:30pm Monday 9 October 2017. Join us to learn more.
> Book for the CMI Southern, CIPR Local Public Services and IPO webinar on Intellectual Property, 9 October 2017, 6.30pm. This will be a live webinar for those who have booked and are able to attend the event on the day. There will be no recording available.