Inventor Assistance Programme

The Inventor Assistance Programme (IAP) matches inventors and small businesses in developing countries with patent attorneys who are willing to offer their services to such clients pro bono. This is a joint initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Economic Forum. So far, Colombia is the only developing country in the programme but other countries are expected to join shortly.

A brochure explaining the IAP can be downloaded here and frequently asked questions can be found here.

This scheme is likely to benefit both inventors and attorneys. The inventors will have a chance of protecting their inventions in their potential markets with robust patents. Attorneys will get a chance to cultivate some of the multinationals of the future. All we benefit from the growth of the developing country's economy

I already offer up to 4 thirty minute slots for free legal  on all sorts of intellectual property issues to individuals and small businesses in the UK. I am very happy to provide a similar service to inventors, designers, software developers and other creative or innovative individuals from other countries if they care to get in touch. I may not know all the answers but I do know a lot of IP lawyers and patent and trade mark attorneys around the world who can probably help. If you want to discuss any IP issue give me a call on +44 (0) 207 404 5252 between 08:30 and 19:30 London time or send me a message through my contact form.