- Key links
- Law links
- How to design IPR content
- How to convince colleagues to include IPR
- Examples of good practice and engineering expertise
- Why include IPR – academic responses
- Why include IPR - research and surveys
- Entrepreneurship, engineering and IPR
- Strategic IP management
- Users’ comments and contribution, future developments
Why include IPR - research and surveys
Business and commerce has a growing interest in IPRs and their strategic management. There is also interest in the continuing lack of awareness especially in small and medium sized enterprises in IPRs. One reason for including IPR in the curriculum is that students will graduate with an awareness of IPRs that will develop during their career. Three examples of evidence submitted to the Gowers Review of Intellectual property are included in this section.
Links
- Survey and findings of intellectual property teaching ( hosted at UKCLE)
- The UK Intellectual Property Awareness Survey 2006. Commissioned by UKIPO for the DTI, this survey establishes the baseline which will enable accurate monitoring of IP awareness within UK businesses.
- The Value of Knowledge: The Economist Intelligence Unit commissioned research amongst European company executives to identify factors driving change in European IP management strategies.
- Engineering questionnaire responses
Gowers Review of Intellectual Property
In 2005 Andrew Gowers was commissioned by the Chancellor and the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Media and Sport to review the intellectual property system in the UK to establish whether it was fit for purpose in an era of globalisation, digitisation and increasing economic specialisation.
His Review report was published in December 2006 (download the full report).
Three responses to the call for evidence were received from active supporters of IPR education for Engineers:
- A group of law and engineering academics, led by Professor Ruth Soetendorp
- The Institution of Engineering & Technology
- Dr Pete Lewis and colleagues from The Engineering Faculty, Open University
Andrew Gowers might have been even more enthusiastic in his support for IPR to be included in the science and technology syllabus. However, sections 5.72-5.75 highlight the importance of raising awareness of IPR. The Review supports and commends education intiatives undertaken by private and public sector bodies.
Race to the Top (October 2007)
The inclusion of IPR in Lord Sainsbury's report further enforces their importance within enterprise education in science and technology (download the full report).
