These free training courses are a fantastic resource for anyone with an interest in IP. They cover IP basics and help to understand the importance of IP.
1. UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO)
a.) IP Basics and IPOYouTube
IP Basics – IP made easy, a new series of IP-based animations. Contains a suite of 12 short animations breaks IP down into bite-sized chunks that clearly explain the different rights and how they can benefit business. So whether you’re new to IP or just brushing up on your skills, or wondering how to distinguish your trade marks from your copyright, this is the perfect place for you to start.
Various UKIPO videos of interest to help inform on IP available at: IPOYouTube Channel.
b.) IP Health Check
UKIPO training tools have been designed to help you:
- If you have IP to protect.
- Whether you own it and, if you don’t, who does.
- How to protect it, and whether you should.
- How you can exploit it commercially
You can access these tools for free on the UKIPO website
2. IP TUTOR
IP tutor covers the basics and all aspects (e.g. patents, trade marks, design etc.) of Intellectual property. It’s free to use, user friendly and interactive, and it can be tailored to area of study/interest. The course takes 40 minutes to complete.
It helps participants to:
- identify different forms of IP,
- understand the role of IP in their chosen subject area,
- know how to use IP to protect their work and
- gain a new skill that is valued by employers and is useful in the work environment
Completion of the course provides accreditation from the UKIPO. The UKIPO course is also validated by the UK Chartered Society of Designers.
Note, the UKIPO training only discusses IP in the UK, although it does provide links to information on international IP issues at the end of the training. Anyone assessing IP should be aware that IP rights are territorial and they only give protection in the countries where they are granted or registered. Registration of IP rights in all countries of interest should be explored, as well as ensuring freedom to operate in such countries.
3. IP Equip
IP Equip is a free online training that explains intellectual property rights such as trademarks, patents, copyright and designs.
4. Murgitroyd
Murgitroyd's Insights covers patents, trademarks, designs and other important IP issues, pitched at a basic/introductory level.
5. Marks & Clerk
At Marks & Clerk's Insights, you can access updates on the latest developments in IP and invitations to events
6. European Patent Office (EPO)
Patents and IP FAQ has been designed for users with little or no prior knowledge of IP, in order to provide them with a basic introduction to a range of different IP rights.
7. World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere. WIPO provide training courses via the ‘WIPO Academy’. The Academy works to help build human capacity in IP, which is essential to innovation and creativity.
Access all WIPO courses
Below are a couple of the free of charge courses, aimed at beginners, which can be accessed on the WIPO website:
The WIPO also have case studies on IP (The IP Advantage database) which offer insights into how IP works in the real world, and how its successful exploitation can contribute to development.
WIPO Case Studies
Overview of IP policies and related documents in the sphere of universities and public research institutions. They can be of use to the university community in general, to increase understanding of the rights to IP that may result from educational and research activities.
Resources for Universities