Ministers confirms government support for fire safety regulations
Currently, furniture and furnishings fire safe regulations are more stringent in the UK than elsewhere in Europe. The British Furniture Confederation met with Ed Davey to ensure that this will remain the case, and to pledge the UK furniture industry’s support of the...
Hargreves report (on IP) shows potential to boosts the economy
The publication of 'Digital Opportunity' follows a six-month independent review of IP and Growth, led by Professor Ian Hargreaves. He was asked to consider how the national and international IP system can best work to promote innovation and growth. His recommendations...
IP in Design – the penny finally drops
This will be music to the ears of small firms and, more specifically, to UK’s designers who often find themselves out on a limb. At a time when design companies need all the help they can get in fighting IP theft, we hope that the Government will act positively on...
Small bussinesses need to do more to protect their ideas
The ‘Intellectual Property Awareness Survey of Business’ has shown that only 15 percent of small companies have ever sought advice on safeguarding their ideas. Only 11 percent of firms overall assign responsibility for managing intellectual property (IP) rights. This...
UK Clamps down on corruption with new bribary act
This will ensure that everyone – from the multinational to the lone trader – can deal with the threat of bribery simply and effectively. Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, said: 'I have listened carefully to business representatives to ensure the Bribery Act is...
Government bins business red tape
Business will be freed from the burden of red tape under a package of sweeping reforms to regulation, it was announced today. In a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses in Liverpool, Mark Prisk revealed Business Secretary Vince Cable’s plans for a range of...