West Midlands firms are being invited to find out more about how they can better protect their intellectual property at a UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) event in Birmingham.

A panel of experts from the UK Intellectual Property Office will guide businesses through the risks and opportunities surrounding intellectual property, especially for companies operating in foreign markets. 

The event will look at how businesses may be at risk, especially abroad, because of unprotected intellectual property, and also how businesses can improve their profitability by using their intellectual property better.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to book 15 minute private interviews with specialist lawyers so they can talk through the clearest way forward for their individual business.

The event, on February 17, will take place at Villa Park between 8am and midday.

Doug Mahoney, UKTI trade director for the West Midlands, said: "Businesses which are moving forward into new international markets may be more vulnerable to having their intellectual property used by others than they think. Equally, there may be ways of harnessing this property to increase the profitability of the business. Intellectual property is about what makes your business unique and so must be protected against it being used by others.

"This event will look at both the risks and the opportunities associated with intellectual property, and the chance to have a 15 minute meeting with a specialist lawyer will give businesses a picture of the strengths and weaknesses of the way they currently use their intellectual property and how they can maximise the benefits of it going forward."

To book your place at the event, contact Jane Watkins on 01189 820603/ jane@nowchange.com. 

Places cost £29.95 + VAT.