- The Network was formed in 1993 to bring together the separate IP awareness activities and concerns of a wide range of professional, educational and business organisations. Since then more than fifty organisations have become members and the UK Intellectual Property Office has observer status. The representatives include officers from the member organisations as well as IP specialists.
- In recent years it became clear that a more formal structure was needed and IPAN is now incorporated in England as the IP Awareness Network, a charitable company limited by guarantee, but continues to operate with minimal formality. The current Chairman is Peter Prowse and the Secretary is Michael Ralph.
- Membership is open to both individuals and organisations with an interest in promoting better understanding of IP. Members pay an annual fee (currently £125) to cover operating expenses. The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) provides active assistance including some help with administration. The Network meets as a group 3-4 times a year dividing its discussions under the main themes of general IP education, IP for parliamentarians and IP for the finance and business communities.
- IPAN's activities include:
- exchanging information and discussing views between members on topical IP issues with the aim of improving overall understanding
- producing short briefing documents (IP briefs) about topical IP issues to provide a balanced introduction - these have been used with parliamentarians and form a core part of our web materials
- identifying and reviewing useful external IP awareness materials for promotion through the website
- taking part in specific IP awareness events such as informal IP briefing sessions with groups of parliamentarians and also with business analysts.
- IPAN is not a lobbying organisation for any particular view on an IP issue but seeks to provide balanced, evidence based statements to improve general understanding of important IP issues. These statements are not binding on individual members of the Network.
what IPAN provides
- a unique source of IP intelligence drawn from the wider IP community including government, professional organisations, industry and academia on a national basis - no other UK group exists which brings together such a wide range of different bodies all of which have an interest in IP and its relevance to society
- a forum to discuss IP issues critical to industry and commerce and to assist in their wider understanding
- an opportunity to join one of our three sector specific groups centred on Education, Parliament and Finance and business
- the chance to gain early warning of IP related issues arising in different business sectors and which might need action elsewhere
how to join IPAN
- if you or your organisation has an active interest in raising awareness of intellectual property and its impact, then membership of the Network is for you. Please contact us to enquire about joining IPAN .