Intellectual Property Office
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Intellectual property competition for students is a great idea

Intellectual property competition for students is a great idea

UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 10 October 2008

The IP competition for Company Programme Students which aims to inspire young people to become the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs is launched today.

The UK Intellectual Property Office is working with Young Enterprise on this competition which will help demonstrate to students how to identify and protect their own creativity and also to ensure they haven't used IP belonging to someone else.

The winning company will receive a cheque for £500 and a trophy to be presented at the Young Enterprise UK Celebration Dinner in London next year. There are also prizes on offer for the winners from the 12 Young Enterprise Regions.

Robin Webb Director of Innovation at the UK IPO said:

"Students taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme are among those most likely to enter or found businesses in future. Because of this we want to make sure they gain an awareness of Intellectual Property Rights. This competition will make students think about their intellectual assets and how important intellectual property is to the economy."

The deadline for receipt of entries is 10 April 2009!

Editors notes:

* With more than 45 years' experience of developing and delivering tried-and-tested and tailor-made enterprise learning solutions, Young Enterprise currently reaches more than 350,000 young people a year through the involvement and support of 3,500 UK businesses.

* In the Company Programme, students aged 15 to 19 set up and run their own company over the course of one academic year. They elect a board of directors from amongst their peers, raise share capital and market and finance a product or service of their own choice. At the end of the year they liquidate the company and present a report and accounts. Formal recognition of the skills and abilities developed through the Company Programme is offered via the Young Enterprise Qualification that all Company Programme participants are invited to sit.

* The competition is open to all Young Enterprise Company Programme Students.

* For enquiries about the UK Intellectual Property Office press or media activities please contact the Communications Team on 01633 814840 or 01633 814305.

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