Intellectual property needs to be properly understood

Tim Roberts, newly elected chairman of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA), has called on UK businesses to improve their understanding of intellectual property.

'It is obvious that world business is becoming more and more dependent upon protection afforded by the intellectual property system. The skills of our members are needed as never before.' In his message to CIPA members, he said that in today's world all enterprises need to know how best to use the intellectual property systems of patents, trademarks, designs and copyright.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, has announced that Equatorial Guinea has become the 111th company to be contracted to the patent co-operation treaty.