Patents
A patent is an exclusive right to the use of an invention and can last for a maximum of 20 years.
For more help & information in Wales visit IP Wales.
UK Patent Office 
Web site gives more detailed information on what is involved in applying for a patent, and will send you a free information pack. It is a complex area in which professional help is usually required.
UK Intellectual Property 
Valuable information how to protect your intellectual capital and exploit it within your firm.
Inventor's Logbook 
The DTI's Innovation Unit and the Patent Office have produced an inventor's logbook. As well as allowing inventors to formally record research, notes, meetings and design ideas, the logbook also
contains information on how to protect new ideas and inventions.
European Patent Office 
Top site for accessing 4 pages of information on any Patent worldwide - ideal for UK, Europe, and US and Japan. Search engine lets you pick out patents you need.
Japanese Patents 
Patents from Japan. These are in English.
US Patents 
US patents, searchable, indexed and in depth text.
Delphion (IBM) Global Patents 
Patents worldwide but only US free on this easy to use system, 4 pages plus drawings, You may have to pay a fee to access reports outside US - just use European Patents site.
Institute of Patentees and Inventors 
A useful web site.
The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents 
Patent agents are specially trained and experienced in the art of drafting patents and in knowledge of intellectual property law. Find out more here. You can find a list of patent agents in Wales in their Directory of Patent Agents
NESTA
Helps people turn creativity & ideas into products & services. Includes the Inventors' Handbook - a step-by-step guide to the process of invention and innovation. It includes guidance on
pitfalls to avoid and sources of advice to pursue, tips on developing an idea into a real product, an overview of protecting your intellectual property and advice on ways to get an idea into the
commercial world - from licence deals to making and selling a product yourself.
Step-by-step guide to using invention promoters 
From the DTI's Innovation Unit web site.
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