Advice for Inventors & Innovators

Alba Innovation Centre

Located on Livingston's Alba Campus the Alba Innovation Centre aims to make a significant difference to ambitious, innovative technology businesses, through a tested and proven process of innovation support. This involves examining all aspects of the business, challenging where appropriate, but ultimately aiming to deliver exceptional support which will help remove barriers and facilitate growth.

 

The Innovation Support is delivered by the Centre's in-house team of experienced advisors, complemented by external specialists, and a wide contact network of entrepreneurs, leading business people and other supporting organisations. The advisors will work with you closely to identify issues and needs, provide direct support themselves, and manage access to other sources of assistance. We aim to pull together all the appropriate support and help our companies drive forward to commercial success.

 

The Innovation Centre provides high quality accommodation on flexible terms, backed up with high speed internet access, a wireless network, IT support, and other business services. Meeting rooms, a café and restaurant are also within the building. Phase 2 will additionally offer reception, telephone answering, a range of integrated support services, and café area.

 

The office suites are available on short term licenses to meet the flexibility requirements of tenant businesses with growth aspirations.

 

Find out more at www.innovationcentre.org.

The Innovator's Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (ICASS)

ICASS is a government initiative, supported by European Funding, which provides specialist advice and counselling for Scotland's inventors and small innovative companies. The service is confidential and free of charge. They can help you investigate the originality of your idea, establish & protect the Intellectual Property Rights and help to guide you through the process of commercialisation.

 

A useful reference guide is the ICASS "Layman's Guide to Intellectual Property" which describes the different types of Intellectual Property Protection available.

 

For referral to an ICASS advisor in West Lothian, please phone 01506 777400 or email: bgateway@westlothian.gov.uk.

Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA)

Patents protect inventions by giving the owner of the patent the right to stop anyone from making or using the invention without the owners permission. This right, granted by the Patent Office, is enforceable in a court of law. A patent can last for up to 20 years. In other words, a patent is a right to stop competition for the invention for a limited period.

 

The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) is the professional and examining body for patent agents (also known as patent attorneys) in the United Kingdom. A patent agent is a member of a small profession qualified by examination in the intellectual property law of the United Kingdom and abroad. Patent agents are specifically trained and experienced in the art of drafting patents and in knowledge of intellectual property law.

Intellectual Property Office