Welsh Government
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New facility to help business innovation

A new facility at the Welsh Assembly Government’s Llandudno Junction office will help businesses and individuals in Wales become even more innovative, Deputy Minister for Science, Innovation and Skills, Lesley Griffiths said recently. 
 

The Llandudno Junction PATLIB, or patent library, will provide local access to patent information and practical assistance on a variety of Intellectual Property issues, including one-to-one consultations with Intellectual Property experts.  The service is part-financed by the European Union’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund.

It is the first of a planned network across Wales and is part of the European PATLIB network.

Launching the PATLIB at the Llandudno Junction office the Deputy Minister said:

“PATLIB will provide a valuable service, helping to ensure that businesses, academics and individuals are aware of their Intellectual Property rights and that innovative ideas created here in Wales can reach their full commercial value.  

“We need to ensure the tremendous talent that can be found in Wales delivers economic benefits at home.  In line with Economic Renewal which focuses on investment in infrastructure, our skills base and targeted business support, we hope PATLIB will help businesses and individuals become even more innovative.

“As global competition intensifies and new technologies emerge, there will be increasing rewards from innovation.  With the addition of PATLIB we will be providing access to a great source of information and support for everyone interested in seeing how far their ideas can take them.”

Intellectual Property Minister Baroness Wilcox said:

"I'd like to welcome the opening of the new patent library at Llandudno Junction. This new facility is a welcome addition to the network of thirteen existing patent libraries throughout the UK and will play a significant role in boosting growth in the region. It will provide local businesses, academics and entrepreneurs with access to Intellectual Property resources, helping them make the most of their innovative ideas."

The Llandudno Junction PATLIB will complement the support available through the existing business support programmes such as Business Innovation.  It will provide access to support for the development of the next generation of products as well as identifying and commercialising IP.

Businesses and individuals will be able to use the public access computers in the office’s public area, Y Bont, to make initial patent information searches and check on trade marks, design and copyright issues.  They will also be able to book on to one of the regular patent clinics held by qualified and experienced staff. The centre also holds a supply of free literature on various aspects of intellectual property.

To contact the PATLIB and make an appointment with one of the clinics go to : businesssupport@wales.gsi.gov.uk or call 0300 060 3000.

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