This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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National Intellectual Assets Centre
03/12/2003
A new National Intellectual Assets Centre in Glasgow has
been set up to help Scottish firms protect and exploit
business knowledge and expertise.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said the
centre would help to build Scotland's competitiveness in a
modern knowledge economy.
Intellectual Assets (IA) are the intangible and often
highly valuable assets which can include brands, employee
know-how, trade secrets and technical information.
IA also covers Intellectual Property (IP), those assets
such as patents and trademarks which are formally protected
by statute law.
The new facility will bring together a range of
expertise to promote awareness of the importance of IA and
provide direction and advice on their identification,
protection and exploitation.
Mr Macdonald said:
"The Executive's top priority is growing the economy,
and we aim to work with business to achieve this.
"One of the ways in which Scottish companies can gain
and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace is
through developing an awareness of the business benefits of
proper management of their Intellectual Assets.
"The NIAC will support Scottish businesses in doing just
that, by helping them to recognise, protect and capitalise
on those very assets which can provide them with this
leading-edge.
"Whilst often associated with technological innovation
and hi-tech businesses, the reality is that Intellectual
Assets affect all sectors, sizes and types of organisation.
New and improved products and services of all types, new
markets, new production techniques and improved supply and
distribution channels all involve the ownership, control
and management of IA.
"I am very pleased to announce that £3 million has been
transferred to this initiative to fund the new Centre over
the next three years."
The Centre will be funded by the Executive and operated
by Scottish Intellectual Asset Management Ltd, a company
formed by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands
Enterprise.
Dr Gordon McConnachie - an international expert in the
field of intellectual assets management - has been
appointed company Chairman and the company's Board of
Directors will include representatives from the business
community, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, the Patent Office, and Universities
Scotland.
Working closely with the enterprise network, private
sector intermediaries and the Executive, the National
Intellectual Asset Centre aims to:
Raise awareness and understanding of Intellectual Assets
(IA) amongst Scottish businesses and other organisations,
enterprise agencies and private sector intermediaries
through events, seminars, training and information
provision.
- Enable Scottish businesses to manage and exploit
the untapped potential of their IA for competitive
advantage.
- Encourage the development of a strong private
sector-led supply of IA management services
- Provide signposting for companies seeking IA
management services.
- Develop Scotland's international profile as a
leading exponent of IA management and
exploitation.
The new centre's premises will be in Sky Park west of
Glasgow city centre. Over the next few months the facility
will prepare products and services and should be fully
operational by early next financial year.