The Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
The Intellectual Property Office is the government body responsible for granting IP rights for Business.
You can find a range of online tools designed to help you understand, identify, protect and exploit your IP assets to their fullest potential. The tools are designed for businesses and business advisors, although they will helpful for anyone learning how to manage or use IP. The IPO offers an eLearning course, IP Equip which helps "businesses and business advisors understand intellectual property rights ie trade marks, patents, copyright and designs".
Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) is the professional and examining body for patent attorneys in the United Kingdom. CIPA holds regular Clinics at several sites around the UK to provide free basic advice to unrepresented innovators who are at the early stages of developing an idea. The Clinics are all given by a Registered Patent Attorney who is a Fellow of the Institute. This site is freely available.
Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys
The Chartered Institute of Trademark Attorneys (CITMA) is the professional body responsible for the regulation of the Trade Mark Attorney profession under the Legal Services Act 2007. Members of CITMA have set up a regular clinic where you can get free advice from fully qualified professionals, who will offer advice on protecting your trademarks and avoiding infringement.
This site is freely available.
European Patent Office
The European Patent Office (EPO) offers inventors a uniform application procedure which enables them to seek patent protection in up to 40 European countries. Supervised by the Administrative Council, the Office is the executive arm of the European Patent Organisation. This site is freely available.
Espacenet
The Espacenet website allows patents to be searched Internationally. Many complete specifications are available. The coverage varies by country. This site is freely available.
World Intellectual Property Organisation
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. They are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states. Their mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. This site is freely available.
WIPO global brands database
The WIPO global brands database allows you search brand information from multiple national and international sources, including trademarks, appellations of origin and official emblems. This site is freely available.
Patent Scope
The Patent Scope database provides access to the International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications in full text format on the day of publication, as well as to patent documents of participating national and regional patent offices.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
The US Patent and Trademark Office. For searching US national utility patents and design patents. Links through to the US trademark electronic search service database (TESS). This site is freely available.
European Union Intellectual Property Office
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) allows you to search for designs registered in an increasing number of EU countries. This site is freely available.
The TM view database provided by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) allows you to search for trademarks registered in every EU country, and certain countries outside the El-J. This site is freely available.
