After the first flush of creation and protection through intellectual property (IP) rights, getting an idea to work can be pretty hard. Getting it to become something useful is often much harder but the effort of getting it to market and convincing people to buy the results is usually the hardest of all. During this process, the idea often changes shape, requiring further protection and more money! Often the originators become exasperated with the process. It is much more rewarding getting the thing "right".

Or is it? It's not always (some would say "not often") that the most perfect answer to a burning problem provides the most return.

Taking the eye off the IP ball however can lead to all sorts of problems downstream. Of course your patent agent will do the best they can for you but they must understand what you're trying to achieve. If you simply leave them the task of running through the "formalities" of registration then you are missing a trick.

Most patent professionals add value and need to be brought into the business in some way early on. Some really cute players actually use their patent agent as a form of non-executive director; others as a business partner. But if the relationship is at arms length then it's often a recipe for disaster. After all they're not mind readers.

Our company does not act for clients as agents, nor could we do so. But what we do is to ensure that our clients get the best value from their agent through appropriate advice and guidance. One of the springboards for this is our popular series of IP workshops that illustrate why IP exists and how the savvy operator can benefit from it.

Our next sessions are at the end of October 2007 (the 30th and 31st) where you will find out somewhat more than the basics and also how to value and sell IP.

We've been doing this for nearly ten years and our clients (including both public and private enterprise) will vouch for our approach. The workshops we run last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (giving time to top and tail the day with other work if you live fairly close to Cambridge).

"I really wasn't looking forward to it but the tutor made the subject really interesting and relevant to me. I forgot that it was a part of the law and really appreciated the stories."

This is not an untypical reaction to the workshops. So, if you think you can benefit, either from a base of no knowledge or simply as a refresher, then either call us on 01223 811113 or book using our on-line form at http://www.reallyuk.co.uk/IPWS.pdf. We'll take bookings via email as well. And there are discounts for quantity!