A new series of free business support events, aimed at the owners of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), has been launched in Liverpool by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Companies House. The IPO also outlined its range of support for SMEs in a new paper published today.

‘Get It Right – First Time’ is aimed at business owners looking for help with protecting their Intellectual Property (IP) and understanding the responsibilities as a First Time Director.

Baroness Wilcox, Minister for Intellectual Property said: "These events are enormously helpful for directors who have little or no experience of protecting their IP, or are new to being directors.

"Having run my own business, I know how starting up your own company can be a daunting experience and I am delighted that we can offer directors free support and expert guidance on two key areas of their business.

"I hope that many directors will sign up for these events and use the experience to grow their companies."

The joint venture between the IPO and Companies House will be hosted by experts from both offices. The team from the IPO will present a variety of seminars that will explain the basics of IP: what it is, why it’s important, how to protect it and then how to exploit it commercially. The seminars will also support business owners and managers, explaining all they need to know about their responsibilities as a First Time Director. This will include information about the incorporation process and how to use the many tools and resources provided by Companies House.

To find out more about ‘Get It Right – First Time,’ including the full list of upcoming events taking place across the UK, visit: www.ipo.gov.uk/getitright.

Today the IPO has also published: "From ideas to growth: Helping SMEs get value from their intellectual property."

The paper sets out the IPO’s plans for improving access to the knowledge, knowhow and support that will help SMEs maximise the value of their intellectual property assets, and develop strategies to manage them effectively. This supports the Government’s approach to SMEs and its Business in You campaign which looks to encourage more people to start or grow their business throughout 2012.

The IPO would now like to talk to SMEs, business advisers and representative bodies to discuss these plans in more detail and plans to hold a series of round table discussions in the coming months.

(GK)