IP training delivers more for SMEs

The importance of Asia's most significant event for intellectual property has been amplified by the addition of the two-day IP Manager Training Programme to be held concurrently with the Business of IP Asia Forum on Dec 3-4. 

The Hong Kong SAR Government Intellectual Property Department has launched the IP Manager Scheme to assist Hong Kong firms, especially small and medium enterprises, to build their IP capacity by improving human resources. A second goal is to improve competitiveness through better IP management that will unlock opportunities in IP trading. 

The scheme hopes to encourage the appointment of in-house IP managers through Hong Kong's SMEs who will be responsible for overseeing the compliance, management, exploitation and commercialisation of IP assets. 

The IP Manager Training Programme will show how firms can unlock their creative potential through IP protection, management and investment. The program will be led by IP professionals and take place during BIP Asia. 

Apart from the training program, BIP Asia will see experts from the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Google, some of the world's biggest universities and research and development centres share their experiences with the audience in Hong Kong. Other thematic tracks including IP practical tips, industry-specific IPs and Asian trends will also be featured in the plenary and breakout sessions at BIP Asia. 

Attendees at the BIP Asia Forum will have the chance to speak to representatives from IP services providers such as Vectis, Marks and Clerk, China Patent Agent and Transpacific IP, each of whom will provide onsite consultations at the BIP Asia Exhibition.