UK Intellectual Property Advisory Board

The UK's 'Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property' has officially come into being this week. Here's the announcement from the IPO in full:

"Launch of Intellectual Property Advisory Board

Increasing the evidence base for intellectual property (IP) policy is vital for the Government to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and globalised IP environment, the head of the new Strategic Advisory Board for IP (SABIP) outlined last night (June 5 2008).

Joly Dixon, Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property, set out his vision for the organisation at a reception in London to mark SABIP's formal establishment:.

Mr Dixon said:

"We live in a knowledge based economy in which economic prosperity and social wellbeing increasingly depend on our wise stewardship of intellectual property. Globalisation, technological change, and changing economic and social structures are challenging many of the past relationships between intellectual property rights and innovation.

"SABIP will work strenuously to increase the evidence base for policy by offering well-researched and independent advice to Government."

The UK's first Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Delyth Morgan, welcomed the establishment of SABIP:

"I want SABIP to drive the thinking on emerging IP issues in this country. Its research programme will be vital in creating a firm evidence base for policy making.

"Members of the SABIP have broad experience of IP issues. That will help ensure they can deliver advice of the quality and independence that I expect.

Notes to editors

* SABIP was officially established on June 2 2008. This follows the appointment of SABIP chairman Joly Dixon on March 7 2008 and the appointment of five members to the SABIP board on May 2 2008.

* SABIP is a Non-Departmental Public Body with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) as its sponsor department.

* Its role is to advise Ministers and the UK-IPO Chief Executive on the development of intellectual property (IP) policy. In formulating this advice, SABIP will provide an overview of IP policy, provide independent input into Government policy-making, and advise on the UK's stance in international negotiations."

This is a very important development for the IP landscape in the UK and I wish them well in gathering a sound empirical evidence base to underpin policymaking in this crucially important area.

Update from Michael Holloway at ORG: "Speech by our first IP Minister, given on IP day (25 April) http://www.dius.gov.uk/speeches/morgan_IPday_250408.html"