My idea: is it a business?

UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

A DTI SERVICE

All information contained in this document was correct at the time of going to print, and is available in alternative formats on request. For further information please visit our website at:- www.ipo.gov.uk or contact us on:- 08459 500 505

Introduction
This booklet gives basic guidance on how to legally protect your idea, and develop it into a reality. It aims to give you an overview of the issues you need to be aware of in turning your idea into a successful business. If you need more detailed advice from experts, the guide directs you to appropriate professional organisations. Youll also find a couple of examples of successful ideas which have been developed into businesses.

Contents
Research What is intellectual property (IP) Choosing a business strategy Working with other people and organisations Confidentiality Keeping hold of your idea (enforcement) Making sure your idea is original Develop your idea Assessing potential markets Identifying your competitors Planning your project Funding your business Attracting partners Govenment support Checklist Case study (FireAngel) Case study (Solio) 3 3 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Research
Researching your idea is vital. Be realistic about the following six questions. Does your idea work? Is there a market? What will it cost to produce? What will people pay for it? Can it really make a profit? Can you market it, and do you have the energy and resources to do so (or can you get them)?
If youve created a new invention, it could be a good idea to apply for a patent. This gives you the authority to control how the invention is made, used or sold.

What is intellectual property (IP)?

Patents If youve created a new invention, it could be a good idea to apply for a patent. This gives you the authority to control how the invention is made, used or sold. Copyright This can be an important source of income for your business as you may be able to charge every time someone plays your jingle on the radio, uses your software, transfers your manual to the internet, makes copies of your song lyrics or reprints your magazine article. You can also use copyright to stop competitors copying your labels and literature. Designs These are important assets as they can be a valuable selling point and part of your business branding, separating you from your competitors. Trademarks These can be one of the most powerful marketing tools you have, as they help customers recognise your company. Registering a trademark allows you to protect the goods and services which carry it, and gives you an IP asset to stop other people or organisations from copying them. Know-how You should keep secret any information or knowledge you have that is not obvious from the products or processes you are going to sell. This will help you keep ahead of your competitors and improve any IP you want to license.

Choosing a business strategy

You may choose to start some sort of business to make best use of your idea, rather than license or sell it. Starting your own business is likely to be expensive, but all profits and success will belong to you. You may be able to attract funding, but to do this you will need a business plan. The Starting Up section of the Business Link website (www.businesslink.gov.uk, or www.bgateway.com in Scotland) provides guidance for those people who are considering setting up their own business. It is also worth remembering that even if you do not start your own business, you should still be prepared to do most of the work to show why your idea can make a good business. Getting an existing manufacturer to make your product or provide your service can allow you to concentrate on other things like promoting and selling it. Joint ventures allow you to bring together the resources of two or more different business to develop a shared project. Usually, one business provides the idea and the other provides expertise or funding. Setting a Vision for Growth (www.businesslink.gov.uk) by Business Link provides more information. Most joint venture agreements should include a licence agreement to set out how to transfer technology. In a collaboration, you team up with a business or university. This allows you to share the costs and the work, but it may also mean youll have to split the profits. For more information, read the Business Link guide Joint Ventures and Partnering (www.businesslink.gov.uk) on how to work with UK universities and colleges, or speak to your local Business Link adviser (www.busineslink.gov.uk/ bdotg/action.directory?r.s=h). There are also some grants available to encourage businesses and universities to work together.

Spin-out companies
A spin-out company is an independent company created to make best use of IP rights which have been licensed. These companies are often used in universities, where the original researchers need to be involved for the spinout to be successful in the future. Because the business relationship is at arms length, it allows the spin-out company to focus on a single idea and secure funding or government grants (www.patent.gov.uk/about/notices/2002/manip/sec04.pdf).

Getting an existing manufacturer to make your product or provide your service can allow you to concentrate on other things like promoting and selling it.

Managing your IP rights

Just like physical property, it is up to you how you manage your IP rights. Selling or licensing your rights may appeal to you, but no-one wants to buy a business that wont make money. Your research on the market, costs and competitors will be vital to show someone why they should buy or license your idea.
Selling some or all of your rights will give you a one-off payment but not a long-term income.

Selling your rights

Selling some or all of your rights will give you a one-off payment but not a long-term income. Once you have sold your ownership, the new owner can stop you using the IP unless you agree a licence with them that allows you to continue using it.

The Licensing Executives Society Britain and Ireland (www.les-bi.org) is the society for professionals who are interested in licensing IP rights and transferring technology. The Institute of International Licensing Practitioners (www. iilp.net) can help you with licensing in the UK and abroad, and run a service to find you an appropriate licensing consultant.

Licensing
Because you hold the IP rights, a licence will give you an income without you having to put time and resources into producing the product yourself. A licence arrangement can pay you either a fixed amount or royalty payments whenever your idea is used. Often, the licensee (the company you license your rights to) will have better knowledge of and access to markets, which will more effectively make best use of the IP. You can license the rights to one company or many, and this will affect how much money you can make. But remember, doing the work to show that your business idea works is highly important. Licences can be limited in geographically or in time or how the rights are licensed. A clear written agreement between you and the licensee is vital to avoid you having disputes in the future.

Copyright collective licences

Many copyright owners find it difficult to manage their rights on their own, and so have formed collective management organisations to represent them and manage their rights for them. There are many collecting societies available who will manage and license the copyright on your behalf (see www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/faq/ copyright/copyowners.htm). There are a range of business strategies for artists and other copyright owners to increase profit as much as possible. You could aim your product or service at the mass market or only make a limited edition. The copyright owners organisations may be able to provide more advice (www.intellectual-property.gov.uk/faq/copyright/ copyowners.htm).

Public-lending rights (PLR)

The PLR scheme gives payments from government funds to authors, to allow public libraries in the United Kingdom to lend their books for free (www.plr.uk.com). 

Working with other people and organisations

Confidentiality
It is highly important that you consider confidentiality before you speak to anyone. If you do tell people about your idea, you may not then be able to patent your invention at a later time. Because of this, sharing new ideas for a business needs a lot of trust, and confidential disclosure agreements can help (see www.patent.gov.uk/ patent/howtoapply/cda). Building a team is important, and youll almost definitely need to find people to help you along the way, because they bring skills you dont have. Its important to work out what help you need, how much it will cost and what you can pay. A good team around you will often make the difference between a business succeeding and failing. Being a small inventor can be a lonely business, and making a business from your ideas can be frustrating and sometimes painfully slow. Because of this, it can be useful to contact other inventors to share ideas, advice and opinions. There are a number of online forums that allow users to swap ideas and information, such as IPR Talk (www.iprtalk.co.uk), Make Sparks Fly (www.internetprnews. com/colloquix/1/index) or the ideas21 network (www.ideas21.co.uk). You can get more advice on all areas of inventing at the Institute of Patentees and Inventors (www.invent.org.uk). In Scotland, ICASS (www.icass.co.uk) provides specialist advice and support for Scotlands inventors. Invention promoters are firms who offer help to inventors. Some people use their services to assess, develop and market ideas. Invention promoters can be very expensive. If you are interested in working with one, we recommend that you do some research before entering into a contract. This may help you to avoid costly mistakes. For information on dealing with these companies, please read our guidance Step-by-Step Guide to using Invention Promoters (www.patent.gov.uk/patent/howtoapply/ ipromoters) or contact the Institute of International licensing Practitioners (www.iilp.net).

Franchising
If you want your business to grow quickly but you dont have the cash to make this happen, franchising might be one way to grow. However, you will have to share the profits and lose some control over how your idea is sold. The British Franchise Association may be able to help (www.british-franchise.org).
Building a team is important, and youll almost definitely need to find people to help you along the way, because they bring skills you dont have.

Technology brokers
There are lots of services available on the internet that help bring inventors and business people together. The following website addresses are links to some not-forprofit brokering services. We do not support any of the individuals or companies using these services. Globalwatchonline.com Wales4innovation.com

Keeping hold of your idea (enforcement)

Getting hold of and keeping IP rights is meaningless if those rights cannot be enforced in the marketplace. So, you need to consider what you would do at the start if someone copies your idea.

Why enforce IP rights?

The main aim of protecting IP rights is to allow the owner to benefit from their inventions. As a result, enforcing IP rights is vital to: make sure IP rights continue to be legally valid; prevent other organisations from damaging the IP, including affecting your goodwill or reputation; and help you get compensation for any damage (for example, loss of profit).

Who will enforce my rights?

It is up to you to identify whether someone has copied your IP and decide what measures you should then take. In most cases, you can begin civil proceedings, but if someone has illegally copied your product or service, you may be able to begin criminal proceedings. For more information on how to enforce your IP rights, see our booklet on enforcement. Before taking action in court, you may want to ask our Search and Advisory Service for a validity search or their opinion (see www.patent.gov.uk/patent/sas).

Insurance
You can get insurance to cover legal costs if you need to take someone to court for damaging your IP. However, make sure your policy gives you enough cover. Also, the earlier you take out a policy, the cheaper it is likely to be. Insurance underwriters may not be prepared to cover the risk if you delay taking out insurance until your product has already been affected. If you feel that insurance would be a good idea, discuss it with a professional adviser, such as a patent attorney or solicitor. Remember that if youre approaching insurers, you may need to get them to sign a confidentiality agreement to make sure they dont publicise your invention.

It is up to you to identify whether someone has copied your IP and decide what measures you should then take.

Making sure your idea is original

If you are to make best use of your IP assets, you must first take a few steps to set up your invention. Remember, you need to have non-disclosure agreements in place until you have sorted out applications for protecting your IP.
Once you have found out that your idea is original, you need to consider how you will protect it.

The commercial potential of your idea is likely to be limited if it isnt original. You should carry out searches to assess whether there are any patents or other forms of IP that cover your idea. There may already be rights covering the invention itself, which means that all or part of your idea is not original. There may also be patents or other publications that were in place before your idea, in which case you will not be able to get patent protection. Protect your intellectual property For more information on carrying out these searches, read the section on originality in the Inventors Handbook by NESTA (www.nesta.org.uk/howtoapply/inventorshandbook/). You can search trademarks (www.patent.gov.uk/tm/dbase) and designs (www.patent.gov.uk/design/dbase) on our website. The British Library runs a free service for searching for patents, and has a wide range of resources online (www.bl.uk/services/document/patent. html). For a full search, youll generally need to pay for expert help. Patent and trademark attorneys specialise in this area (see the section on legal help for their contact details) and our Search and Advisory Service provides commercial searches for patents (www.patent.gov.uk/ patent/sas) and trademarks (www.patent.gov.uk/tm/sas). Once you have found out that your idea is original, you need to consider how you will protect it. IP law is complicated, and so getting legal or other professional advice might often be the best way to work out how to protect your IP rights and benefit from them. The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (www.cipa.org. uk) or the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (www.itma.org. uk) may be the best people to approach about registering your IP rights. CIPA runs clinics (www.cipa.org.uk/pag es/adviceclinics) which give free basic advice to inventors at the early stages of developing an idea. For copyright, lawyers or trade associations (or both) may be helpful. There are also other, more general sources of advice and help that might be worth exploring. Business Link www.businesslink.gov.uk Small Business Service www.sbs.gov.uk Innovation Relay Centres www.irc.cordis.lu Patent Libraries www.bl.uk/collections/patents/patentsnetork.html

Develop your idea

Once you have developed your new idea into a workable product or service, there are a range of resources that can help you look into the options. These resources can help you assess the commercial potential of your idea, draw up a business plan and find sources of possible funding. Also, see the sections on funding and government support. Getting the right design can be vital to your businesss success. Building a prototype (a first version of the product) or developing a design can improve your chance of becoming a successful business (see www.mas.dti.gov. uk). A working prototype can help you check that the idea actually works in practice, can expose any problems you didnt see beforehand and can help you to decide on how the product will look. It can also be useful in discussions with potential partners or investors. If you want to produce a working prototype of your invention, youll probably need to work with a manufacturer or a specialised prototyping centre. A university or incubation centre could also help (see the section on support networks). Local libraries have trade directories, which give lists of manufacturers and service providers. Remember, you may need to keep your idea confidential and so need to get a confidentiality agreement. You may want to get legal advice before you make an agreement. For more information on your legal responsibilities and guidance on safety issues, see the Managing Health, Safety and Environment area of the Business Link website Find a local contacts directory on the Business Link website (www.businesslink.gov.uk) or the local enterprise agency in the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (www.nfea.com), or try your local Chamber of Commerce (www.chamberonline.co.uk). You may also be able to get help from one of the 12 business innovation centres in the UK (www.ebn.be). Innovation relay centres match businesses which have similar technology needs or interests (www.irc.cordis.lu). The following regional administrations may also be able to help. Regional Development Agencies www.dti.gov.uk/rda/info Scottish Enterprise www.scottish-enterprise.com Welsh Assembly new.wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy Invest Northern Ireland www.nfea.com

Making sure your product is safe

By law, many products have to be tested independently to make sure they are safe. Using a testing centre approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (www. ukas.com) will make sure that the testing is carried out competently and that the results will be accepted abroad.

Building a prototype (a first version of the product) or developing a design can improve your chance of becoming a successful business.

Assessing potential markets

Before making large investments in your new product or service, its a good idea to assess how it will fit into the marketplace and most importantly whether you will be able to build a profitable business around it.

Ask yourself the following questions.

Does it meet or create a need in the market? Can you identify potential customers? Will the product or service outlive passing trends in the market or make the most of the trend before it dies away? Is the product or service unique, different or better to those offered by competitors? What competition will it face locally, nationally and worldwide? Is the product safe and does it keep to relevant regulations? You should get legal advice before you go ahead. To answer many of these questions, you may want to carry out some market research as this could well increase your chance of success the Business Link website provides a guide (www.businesslink.gov.uk). You could hire a market research agency you can search for one on the Research Buyers Guide website (www.rbg.org.uk). The Chartered Institute of Marketing has a guide to market research on their website (www.cim.co.uk/cim/ser/html/ cover) and The British Market Research Association has research techniques on its website (www.bmra.org.uk/researchers-toolkit/index).

Selling
A thorough sales strategy is vital if your product or service is to be successful. It should focus on: ways of selling that can be stopped or changed if necessary; and how much it costs for each sale.

Today there are many outlets through which you can sell your goods or services for example, websites, mail order, direct mail and small ads, each of which have different strengths. The Business Link website (www.businesslink. gov.uk) has a detailed guide.
Before making large investments in your new product or service, its a good idea to assess how it will fit into the marketplace and most importantly whether you will be able to build a profitable business around it.

Pricing your service or product

You must set out a pricing strategy for a new product or service the moment you decide to take an idea forward, as it will help you find out how much you can afford to invest in the project. You can find a full guide to pricing your product or service on the sales and marketing section of the Business Link website (www.businesslink.gov.uk). Make sure you really know what your costs are for making the product or running the business.

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Identifying your competitors

There is always competition between businesses. But it is not just another business that might attract your customers, it could be a new product or service. To identify your competitors, dont just research whats already out there. You also need to be constantly looking out for possible new competition. You may want to consider selling or looking to license their IP before somebody else takes it up.

Staying ahead in the market

Once you are up and running, like all businesses you need to keep improving your idea to plan for and respond to the changing needs of your customers. This means investing time and money into market research and developing your idea. The Business Link Research, Design and Development guide (www.businesslink.gov.uk) explains why developing your idea is vital to staying competitive. You can find out how new and original your business is on the Living Innovation website (www.innovation.gov.uk/self_ assessment). The Manufacturing Advisory Service (www.mas.dti.gov.uk) also has a fact sheet about management techniques.

Understanding your competitors

The best way to understand your competitors is to monitor the way they do business. Information on the internet can give you good tips on what businesses are doing. Find out who aims at your market and how they go about it, for example: what they provide and how they market, distribute and deliver it; their brand, design values and prices; how they keep their customers loyal to their product; whether they use new products or business methods; how many staff they have and the quality of staff they attract; whether they have a website or e-mail address; who owns the business and what sort of person they are; and what is in the annual report (if theyre a public company) or their accounts at Companies House (www.companieshouse.gov.uk) or the Northern Ireland Companies Registry (www.detini.gov.uk) if theyre a limited company).

It may be useful to go to exhibitions and trade fairs to check which of your competitors have displays. Upcoming events are listed on the Business Link website (www. businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/event). Use main libraries to study trade publications and business magazines. You can access information about UK trade associations and business sectors from the Trade Association Forum (www.taforum.org). You could also speak to your local Chamber of Commerce (www.chamberonline.co.uk). Business reference libraries can supply directories and survey reports.
The best way to understand your competitors is to monitor the way they do business. Information on the internet can give you good tips on what businesses are doing

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Planning your project

Once you have identified your new product or service, you must then plan how you are going to get it to the market and go about turning it into a profitable business. Business Plan Services specialise in helping with business planning (www.bizplans.co.uk) but you can also look at sample plans on the bplans.org.uk website or templates on Microsoft Office (www.office.microsoft.com). You may want to consider hiring a professional project manager, for example, through the Association of Project Managers (www.apm.org.uk). The Association of Project Management Group have a website (www.apmg-icp.com) which allows members to share ideas. The Office of Government Commerces website has details on managing projects (www.ogc.gov. uk/prince2).

Developing your business acumen

If your project is to be successful, you need to develop your business acumen. This means: having a good understanding of how your idea can make you money; having a thorough understanding of what increases profits; focusing on the market; and having a big picture of the business and its environment.

Starting Up on the Business Link website (www. businesslink.gov.uk, or www.bgateway.com in Scotland) gives guidance on how to go about starting your own business. It includes tools to assess your qualities as a businessperson, your business skills, your knowledge of market-research techniques and your financial commitment to help you decide whether you are ready to get going. Being clear on these issues is particularly important if youre looking for finance or investment. The process of building your plan will also focus your mind on how your new business will need to work to have the best chance of success.

Managing the development

Carefully managing your project is vital in making sure you can successfully develop new products or services. You will need to: control costs and set aside resources; develop your product; work out whos in charge, who does what and when; and sort out any problems. You should set deadlines for when you will complete important tasks, but your plan must allow for problems that may arise which could change the project or your business.

Business Plan Services specialise in helping with business planning

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Funding your business

There are many ways to fund your growing business. Its a good idea to get professional advice before looking for sources of funding (see www.businesslink.gov.uk, or www.bgateway.com in Scotland).

Use your own money to set up your business

If youre starting a new business, its likely that youll have to put up some of the money yourself. Financing your business yourself gives you far more control than other types of funding, but you must be aware of the risks. If your business fails, you could lose your home and other personal belongings.

Before lending you money, your bank will want to know that you are a good risk new companies can find this difficult to show, because they do not have a track record to draw on. Usually, the bank will want you to: present a realistic business plan; provide evidence that you have a successful track record in business; offer security for any money it lends you; and invest some money in the business yourself.

Borrowing from friends and family

Friends and family may be willing to help by lending money or by buying a share of your company. But remember, you could risk losing their money as well as your own. You should give possible investors an up-to-date business plan, and have an agreement that sets out terms and conditions deadlines (such as for paying interest and repayments). You and your family may also need to pay more tax (for example, on interest-bearing loans). Using bank loans to start your business.

If you dont meet all the banks normal conditions, you may qualify for a loan under the Governments Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme (www.businesslink.gov.uk, or www.bgateway.com in Scotland).

Friends and family may be willing to help by lending money or by buying a share of your company. But remember, you could risk losing their money as well as your own.

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Attracting partners
Outside funding can suit opportunities for long-term investment. Usually, your company gives investors part-ownership in return for their investment. As a result, the investors will share in the profits of your business.
Business angels are individuals who invest on their own, or as part of a group of investors, in businesses which tend to grow quickly.

Business angels are individuals who invest on their own, or as part of a group of investors, in businesses which tend to grow quickly. As well as money usually up to 250,000 business angels often make their own skills, experience and contacts available to the company they invest in. The British Business Angels Association (www.bbaa.org.uk) can give you more information. Venture capitalists usually invest anything from 500,000 to 2 million or more. They choose businesses they believe will give a high return on their investment and projects with clear exit times. The British Venture Capitalist Association (www.bvca.co.uk) represents over 180 UKbased private-equity and venture-capital firms. Before approaching potential investors, you need a good business plan, along with evidence of your ability to manage a business. Your plan should include detailed financial forecasts and explain what you will do with funds which are invested in the business. You will also need to prepare a pitch (a presentation to help sell your business to potential investors).

Grants
In the UK, there are many types of grants available for example, from the Grants for Research and Development Scheme (which is run by the Research Development Agencies (www.dti.gov.uk/rda/info) and the Small Firms Loan Guarantee(www.businesslink. gov.uk). In Europe, there is the Framework Programme (cordis. europa.eu/fp6) and EUREKA (www.eureka.be/thematic aboutStrategicInitiatives.do). They are good sources of cheap financing and may also provide expert advice and information. To qualify for a grant, your business must meet the conditions set by the scheme. If accepted, you will have to use the funds for a specific project and the grant will only cover a percentage of your costs. There is often strong competition for the schemes and the application process can be complicated and take a long time. The Business Link website (www.businesslink.gov.uk) outlines all the types of grants which are available.

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Government support
There are a number of government programmes which can offer support, and it can be worth finding out if they offer help for your type of business. There are also a range of grants available to SMEs (see www.grantnet.com). Creative industries have a range of business options, and the DCMS website includes information on how to get funding (see www.culture.gov.uk/creative_industries/). Research councils (www.rcuk.ac.uk) fund academic research and training. They aim to turn academic or business ideas into money-making processes and products. Each research council has its own procedure for awarding research and development (R&D) grants. The Small Business Research Initiative is designed to make it easier for smaller firms to get contracts from government organisations to carry out research and development (see www.sbri.org.uk). Knowledge Transfer Partnerships run throughout the UK and aim to bring graduate researchers into businesses (see www.ktponline.org.uk). Knowledge Transfer Networks offer grants which are designed to create networks between businesses, academic institutions and trade associations. You can find more information on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/innovation. Collaborative research and development grants encourage businesses to team up and consult with the research community. The level of grant support will vary between 25% and 75% of both partners R&D costs. You can find more information on the DTI website (www.dti.gov.uk/innovation). The Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) is a scheme designed to help small or medium-sized businesses or community organisations. The business pays a student a weekly training allowance for the length of the project. In return, the business receives support from a local STEP manager (see www.step.org.uk). LINK collaborative research encourages the industry and academics to work together on research projects. All LINK projects must involve at least one company and one research-based organisation. Large and small UK companies and even multinational companies can take part (www.ost.gov.uk/link/).
Businesses that carry out research and development can often reduce their tax bills by claiming relief.

Tax relief and allowances for research and development

Businesses that carry out research and development can often reduce their tax bills by claiming relief. For more information, see the HM Revenue & Customs website (www.hmrc.gov.uk/randd). 15

Checklist
Check that the idea is new. Assess where you will fit in the market. Choose your target customers. Know your customers needs, identify the types of customers and how to sell to them. Set out your costs and find out what customers will pay. Identify competitors. Protect your idea with appropriate IP and think about enforcement. Prove the idea works. Research and develop your business, new products and services. Get the design right, test it and develop prototypes. Get the professional help you need, for example: Business advisors, solicitors, accountants, and patent and trademark attorneys. Sort out a business plan. How do I survive until my business is off the ground? Predict and plan your sales. Plan your marketing strategy, and identify potential sales methods. Do market research and get market reports. Choose and protect your business name, and create a brand. Use your business plan to get funding, for example. Investors (equity), business partners, grants or venture capitalists. Consider your business options. For example, licensing, manufacturing, joint venture, franchising, subcontracting and so on. Starting a business. Budget and plan your business. Plan your cashflow and how to get paid on time. Examine your finance options, both to start off with and if you run out. Decide whether to lease or buy assets. Choose the legal structure for your business. Choose and run a business bank account. Sort out your tax and record-keeping. Assess whether you are responsible for paying National Insurance, business rates, VAT, and other business taxes, reliefs and allowances. Assess risks and your responsibilities for health, safety, security and the environment. Insure your business and its assets and get liability insurance. Set up your premises and negotiate with suppliers. Running the business. Pricing the product or service. Marketing your product or service and staying ahead in the market. Control your business costs and stock. Consider whether to sell direct, how you will distribute your products, and setting up and promoting your business online. Get the most from IT in your business for example, through e-marketing, e-commerce, and accepting online payments. Keeping to the law. For example, the Sale of Goods Act, Data Protection, fair trading, trade descriptions and trading standards, product liability, the Information Commissioners regulations. Review the regulations that affect your business, investigate and apply for the licences and permits.

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FireAngel
FireAngel decided to go it alone. They initially received a 55,000 European grant but the product developed some problems in the first year and the grant was soon used up. They then received another 250,000 through a group of business angels and, by concentrating mainly on developing and marketing their product, they saved money. Within 12 months, their product was independently tested to the relevant British Standards and available to buy in the UK. Fire Angel eventually won a contract with B&Q for three months, which was followed by a two-year merchandising agreement. Other national retailers also become involved and, within 12 months, the FireAngel PS-101 Plug-In Smoke Alarm was available in over 3000 shops across the UK. Within four years, FireAngel had won a number of awards including the Real Business/CBI New Product of the Year. In 2001, Sprue Aegis became a public limited company with a turnover (for the three months up to June 2003) of 515,000 a 46% increase on the same three months in 2002. FireAngel have extended their products internationally, to 18 patents (either granted or in progress), plus protection for a range of trademarks. A new name AngelEye has been registered specifically for the American smoke-alarm market. Sprue Aegis plc will continue to invest heavily in developing new products for both the FireAngel and AngelEye brands. The companys attitude is that they can only progress competitively if they continue to develop original products, meaning that new patents are expected in the years to come.

The FireAngel PS-101 Plug-In Smoke Alarm was available in over 3000 shops across the UK.

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Solio
Chris and his team at Solio knew that, in the growing mobile-phone industry, battery and energy technology put huge limits on the product. Phones were adding features such as TVs and radios, but they drained the battery quickly. Chris saw huge advantages in using solar energy its environmentally-friendly, convenient and free! Research showed that solar chargers already on the market didnt work well, and were poorly designed and marketed. Better Energy Systems (BES) wanted to develop a brand that was a must-have. To get a unique design, Chris appointed a designer called David Fowler. Chris then approached a US solar-energy manufacturer, who were making a similar product, but had no patent. Chris wanted to learn from them, as he had no manufacturing experience and hoped to share the costs. The discussions were successful and Chris signed a development agreement, allowing the manufacturer to own 50% of the solar technology. Once BES had developed their actual design for Solio plug into the sun, they could then register their design with the UK Patent Office. BES also approached engineering firms in Germany to run tests on the battery life and the toxic parts of the equipment. They also worked with Motorola, Orange, Apple and Vodafone. These links gave Chris access to expertise that he did not have. However, every discussion meant that more people were learning about his new ideas. Chris used non-disclosure agreements and contractors agreements to make sure that anything created through Solio was still BES property. As Chris said: When anyone is starting to develop a new product, who you talk to about it is key... you dont just disclose to everybody what you are doing. If you do disclose, make sure you have a watertight confidentiality agreement.

Chris and his team at Solio knew that, in the growing mobile-phone industry, battery and energy technology put huge limits on the product.

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Other Publications
Patents
1. Patents: Essential Reading 2. Patents: Application Guide 3. Patents: Basic Facts
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PATENTS: Essential Reading

PATENTS: Application Guide

Patents: Basic Facts

This booklet provides information you need to consider before committing yourself to applying for a patent, a summary of the patenting process in the UK and abroad.

This guide is all about how to apply for a UK patent. Before you apply, there are two important issues you need to consider the need to keep your invention secret and the importance of getting professional advice.

If you invent something that could be commercially successful, you may be interested in applying for a patent.

UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

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UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

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Designs
4. How to Apply to Register a Design 5. Designs: Basic Facts

How to Apply to Register a Design

Designs: Basic Facts

This booklet will help you apply to register a design in the United Kingdom. It also includes information about applying to register a design outside the UK.

This leaflet provides basic information on some areas of design protection.

UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

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UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

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Copyright
6. Copyright: Basic Facts
Copyright Basic facts
Copyright gives the creators of certain kinds of material rights to control ways their material can be used.

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Trade Marks
7. Trade Marks: Essential reading 8. Trade Marks: Application guide 9. Trade Marks: Basic Facts

Trade Marks: Essential Reading

Trade Marks: Application Guide

Trade Marks: Basic Facts

This booklet, together with the booklet Trade marks: application guide, will help you apply to register a trade mark in the UK.
This booklet, together with the booklet Trade marks: essential reading, will help you apply to register a trade mark in the UK.

Concept House Cardiff Road Newport NP10 8QQ Tel: 08459 500 505 Minicom: 08459 222 250 Fax: 01633 817777 www.ipo.gov.uk For copies in alternative formats please contact our Central Enquiry Unit. When you no longer need this booklet, please recycle it. Revised: Feb 07

This leaflet provides basic information on some areas of trade marks. It is not a reference book and has no legal authority.

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Additional
10. Search and Advisory Service

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Search and Advisory Service

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Revised: April 07

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UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office

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All Publications are available through the UK Intellectual Property Office Website: www.ipo.gov.uk or by phoning our Central Enquiry Unit on 08459 500 505 To order any of the above publications, please tick the box next to the ones you want, fill in your name and address over the page, and return the form to: Central Enquiry Unit, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP10 8QQ. 19
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Concept House Cardiff Road Newport NP10 8QQ Tel: 08459 500 505 Minicom: 08459 222 250 Fax: 01633 817777 www.ipo.gov.uk For copies in alternative formats please contact our Central Enquiry Unit. When you no longer need this booklet, please recycle it. Revised: Feb 07

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