Greenhalgh, Phillips, Pitkethly, Rogers and Tomalin (2010)
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Source Details
Greenhalgh, Phillips, Pitkethly, Rogers and Tomalin (2010) | |
Title: | Intellectual Property Enforcement in Smaller UK Firms |
Author(s): | Greenhalgh, C., Phillips, J., Pitkethly, R., Rogers, M., Tomalin, J. |
Year: | 2010 |
Citation: | Greenhalgh, C., Philips, J., Pitkethly, R., Rogers, M., & Tomalin, J. (2010). Intellectual Property Enforcement in Smaller UK Firms. Report for the Strategy Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP). |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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About the Data | |
Data Description: | In total, 1,858 micro firms (0-9 employees) and SMEs (10-249 employees) were contacted in the online survey and this received 170 responses, representing a 9.1% response rate, which is normal for such research. The combined response rate was raised to 20.1% through the addition of 225 responses to the follow-up telephone survey, asking whether the firm had ‘experienced an IP dispute in the last five years’.
Specific to Copyright and Design 18 interviews, involving nine micro firms and nine SMEs were conducted. |
Data Type: | Primary data |
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Industry(ies): | |
Country(ies): | |
Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | Yes |
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Abstract
This report details research into the enforcement of intellectual property (IP). It considers the attitudes and practices of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro firms as well as the cost implications of the present IP enforcement system in the UK.
According to an earlier report for SABIP, by Weatherall et al. 2009, in the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property questions of enforcement were largely addressed through assertion, rather than empirical research. This report aims to provide such research. Our study included both an online survey and a phone survey. These concentrated on SMEs and micro firms rather than being a comparative study with large firms. Further work obtained information on Patents and Registered Design cases listed for hearings in the Patents Court from 2003 to 2009. The analysis of this data provides some evidence that complements the results of the survey.
Main Results of the Study
This study covers all aspects of IP. The following findings were relevant to copyright: * The cost of enforcement using legal routes is prohibitively high.* Legal, financial and social contexts all influence a firm’s intellectual property strategy.* Copyright and design right infringement has major disruption effects on some sectors within the creative industries.* There is a problem enforcing copyrights and design rights internationally.* Digital technology, especially the internet, poses a large problem for the enforcement of copyright.* Monitoring strategies and associated costs and importance differ widely between sectors.* Many firms felt that there was inadequate information available for both themselves and potential users of their copyright.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
- The message for small firm-related IP policy would therefore seem to be first, that every attempt should be made to lower the transaction costs of disputes by changing court procedure or improving access to legal advice.* From its application for an IPR, a firm needs to plan and treat its limited resources entrepreneurially and creatively, in order to make the most of those resources when resolving IP disputes." * Small firms should be as concerned with learning how to use their IPRs strategically as with becoming aware of the basics of the law that creates and defines them."
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 170 |
Level of aggregation: | Company |
Period of material under study: | 2003-2009 |
Sample size: | 225 |
Level of aggregation: | Individual |
Period of material under study: | 2003-2009 |