The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys

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  Clinics

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys holds regular clinics at a number of sites around the UK giving free basic advice to innovators who are at the early stages of developing an idea. The clinics are all given by a registered patent attorney who is a member of the Institute.

Below are listed the current sites for clinics and contact details for arranging an appointment. Many firms of patent attorneys will also offer the first consultation free of charge, so if there is not a clinic listed locally, you could contact a local firm of attorneys, for a geographically-sorted list click here.


Birmingham

Business Insight, Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ. Every Wednesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact: Matthew Jelfs or Duncan Jones 
Tel: 0121 303 4531
Fax: 0121 303 1354
E-mail: business.library@birmingham.gov.uk

The library also offers weekday appointments [for further information on weekday clinics please contact Business Insight on the details above].

Each appointment will consist of a one hour confidential consultation with a specialist patent and IP information officer/librarian. These apointments may include:

  • assistance in constructing a search strategy for patents, trade marks or registered design;
  • referral to other agencies for professional help and funding; and
  • supply of and basic guidance on procedures and forms for registration of IP rights.

Leeds

Business & Patent Services, 3rd Floor Suite, Central Library, Municipal Building, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB. Once a month - Monday evening - appointment necessary. Contact: Ms Stef Stephenson - Tel: 0113 247 8266 Fax: 0113 247 8268 Email: piu@leeds.gov.uk.

Leeds Inventors Group
Talks, advice and networking for inventors and entrepreneurs Monthly in the Central Library Tel: 0113 247 8266 to book your place.



Liverpool

Business and Technology Library, Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EW.
Every alternate Tuesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact: Ms Ruth Grodner - Tel: 0151 233 5842.
E-mail: ruth.grodner@liverpool.gov.uk.


London

Please send any queries and payment to: The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, 95 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1DT. Clinics are held at The Intellectual Property Office, 21 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3HF, every Tuesday evening - appointment necessary.
Contact Margaret Mitchell at The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys - Tel: 020 7405 9450.
For a map to The Patent Office please click here.


Manchester

Manchester Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD.
Every third Tuesday of month 2.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. - appointment necessary. Contact: the Patents Clinic - Tel: 0161 234 1397 or E-mail: patlib@manchester.gov.uk.


Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Please note that as of the 4 September 2006 the Patents Advice Centre has moved temporarily to the library at the University of Nortumbria until early 2009 when the new City Library is expected to be completed.
Patents Advice Centre, First Floor, The Library, University of Northumbria, Sandyford Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST .
Contact: Hilary Good - Telephone 0191 260 3250; or email her on patents.advice@newcastle.gov.uk. Also click here to see the website.


Newport, South Wales

With the assistance of the CIPA the Intellectual Property Office in Newport is now running regular clinics for individuals seeking basic advice on patents, trade marks, designs etc. You can discuss your ideas or problems with one of the duty chartered patent attorneys for half-an-hour at no charge. An Examiner from the Intellectual Property Office will also take part in the clinic. A £25 deposit must be paid before appointments will be confirmed. The deposit will be returned when you attend the clinic but will not be returned if you if you don’t attend without giving us sufficient notification. Click here for details of the venue, the next dates and to book online.


Plymouth

Free guidance is given by PatLib UK, University of Plymouth, Business Link, Taymar Science Park and N.J. Akers and Co., patent and trade mark attorneys.

The 'One Stop Ideas Shop' will run every 2nd Monday of each month, 15:00 pm - 19:00 pm
Contact: 0800 052 5600 or e-mail enterprise@plymouth.ac.uk




Sheffield

Reference and Information Library, Central Library, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 1XZ
Email:information.library@sheffield.gov.uk

One day 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. every month - appointment necessary.
Contact: Lynne Hinchliff - Tel: 0114 2734736/37 or e-mail: information.library@sheffield.gov.uk.


Southampton

Library Office, Central Library, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LW. 5-7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month.
Contact: The Library Office on 023 8083 4645 before 2 p.m. or
E-mail business.library@southampton.gov.uk .



Other advice and assistance

Some libraries offer basic patent advice, mostly on searching.