The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) recently announced a new “IP Access” scheme.

At the time of writing this update, there was limited information on the scheme on the UK IPO’s website, so we contacted the UK IPO directly to find out more about the scheme and the related “IP Audit Plus” scheme.

The information Russell IP received from the UK IPO on both schemes is reproduced below, starting with the IP Audit Plus scheme, which is a prerequisite to access the IP Access scheme.

1. IP Audit Plus

1.1 Information on the IP Audit Plus Scheme

To deliver the IP Audit Plus scheme, the UK IPO has partnered with Innovate UK Edge (formerly Enterprise Europe Network), Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, or the Welsh Government who work with businesses to identify those that are suitable to receive the offer of an IP audit. The partner organisation identifies the business as a potential candidate for an IP audit. Should the business choose to apply, the partner organisation will support them with the application process.

If the business’ application for an IP audit is successful, they will appoint an IP professional [such as Russell IP] to conduct the IP audit. The partner organisation may direct the business to information about how to do this, but will not recommend or arrange one for them. Once the IP audit for the business is completed, the partner organisation will discuss the findings of the IP audit report with the business and inform them that the opportunity to attend a free one-hour pro-bono meeting with the IP professional to discuss priorities and costs is available to them.

The UK IPO will pay £2,500 (inc. VAT) towards the cost of the IP audit and makes the payment directly to the IP professional on receipt of an approved audit report. The SME contributes a further £500 (inc. VAT) for the audit report payable direct to the IP professional.

The current year’s IP Audit Plus scheme (as of the time of writing) opened on 1 April 2021 and will close to applications on 31 March 2022.

2. IP Access

2.1 Who is eligible for the funding? 

Businesses that have been awarded part-funding for an IP audit between April 2020 to March 2022 with an IP audit partner (Innovate UK Edge (formerly Enterprise Europe Network), Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, or the Welsh Government) can apply for the funding.

2.2 What can the funding be used for? 

The IP Access scheme provides up to a maximum of £5,000 (including VAT). IP Access can be used to cover the cost of services related to:  

• The management of IP assets; 
• Commercialisation of IP; 
• Licensing and franchising agreements; 
• IP insurance; 
• IP valuation; 
• Tax relief advice; and
• Professional fees for IP services in the UK and abroad.

The funds cannot be used to cover official filing fees for filing patents, trade marks or registered design applications. The funds can, however, be used towards any legal fees incurred to file a patent, trade mark or registered design applications.

2.3 How can businesses apply? 

Eligible businesses will be notified of the new scheme and, as with the IP audits programme, applications will be submitted to the IPO by one of its partner organisations (Innovate UK Edge (formerly Enterprise Europe Network), Scottish Enterprise and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, or the Welsh Government).

3. Contact Details for the Partner Organisations

Russell IP has been given email addresses at Innovate UK Edge, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Welsh Government for more information on the schemes or to apply. We can share these on request.