Trade Mark Attorneys Welcome New Government Department

TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS WELCOME NEW DEPARTMENT FOR INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Philip Harris, President of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) today welcomed the creation of the new Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills with responsibility for the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO).

He said: “Innovation is the cornerstone of wealth creation in the UK and at the heart of innovation is intellectual property (IP) – trade marks, patents, copyright and designs.”

“This new department demonstrates the importance the government places on nurturing innovation. As Chancellor, Gordon Brown initiated the Gowers Review into the UK IP framework and it was his former department that published the Review’s findings in December 2006.”

“It is very pleasing to see that, on his elevation to Prime Minister, Mr. Brown has taken immediate action to raise the profile of IP with this new department. ITMA already works very closely with the UK Intellectual Property Office on campaigns designed to raise awareness of trade mark issues and their importance as business assets.”

”Being a very significant part of this new specialist department can only help the UK-IPO to have a stronger voice in promoting the importance of IP in the British economy. Notwithstanding the Office has moved away from what is now the Department of Business and Enterprise, we very much hope that there will be no reduction of UK-IPO’s focus on business as primary generators of IP – particularly trade marks – in the UK. In fact we hope this change will give the Office enhanced opportunities to promote IP and, in particular, the value of trade marks to all sectors of the economy.”

“We will continue to work closely with the UK-IPO and help to ensure trade mark law and practice works to the benefit of consumers, industry and the profession that my Institute represents.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) was established in 1934 as the professional body representing those persons qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and allied intellectual property rights (in particular, registered designs) both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark agents and all UK Trade Mark & Design Litigators.

2. Currently ITMA has approximately 500 practising members; it also extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law and overseas membership to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership (all classes) is about 1600 members, primarily located in the United Kingdom and Europe, but also in more than 50 other countries.

3. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk.

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