Strategic Advisory Board for IP Launched In UK

by Robin Pilgrim, LawAndTax-News.com, London

06 June 2008

The UK's new Strategic Advisory Board for IP (SABIP) has been launched, it emerged on Thursday.

Speaking at a reception in London to mark SABIP's formal establishment, Joly Dixon, Chairman of the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property observed that 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.

SABIP's 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.

The Board was established following a recommendation of the Gowers Review of intellectual property.

Setting out his vision for the organisation, Mr Dixon told those attending the reception that:

"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, explaining that:

"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."

Working alongside Mr Dixon on the Board are:

• Dame Lynne Brindley - Chief Executive of the British Library;
• Dr Cathy Garner - Chief Executive of Manchester Knowledge Capital;
• Professor John Pickering - Member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal and Business Consultant;
• Dr Jonathan Spencer, CB - former Director General at the Departments of Trade and Industry and Constitutional Affairs and member of the Solicitors' Regulation Authority; and
• Iain Wilcock - Founder and Deputy Managing Director of Quester Capital, a healthcare investment company.

Members have been appointed for an initial period of two years.

Recommended