Whatever your business, you own intellectual property – design of products, company logo, or knowledge that’s gone into website development. Protected and maximised, IP can bring great business benefit. However, many entrepreneurs and small companies fall foul of the rules and suffer as a result.

This evening panel discussion, part of the ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ series at the British Library, in partnership with HSBC, brings together entrepreneurs who have built success through effective IP management. The panel will also include a leading legal expert to address questions related to patents, trademarks, copyright and IP infringement.

For inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs, this could be the most valuable event of your business’s early life.

Confirmed speakers

Sebastian Conran is a top designer and inventor, and the director of product and graphic design at Conran & Partners. Sebastian’s technical innovations have earned him many design, marketing and innovation awards.

Denise Nurse is a commercial lawyer and one of the founders of legal practice Halebury. She will provide the expert angle on IP. Denise may also be a familiar face, as she’s a weather reporter on Sky News. Halebury is a partner organisation of the Business & IP Centre and runs regular workshops.

Jim Shaikh is an ex-academic engineer, and now inventor of the ‘Yoomi’, a self-heating baby bottle. He used the Business & IP Centre to develop his idea; watch a video of him talking about his experiences of the Centre.

Katharine Hamnett is a fashion designer and eco-campaigner. Her iconic slogan tshirts were a defining image of fashion in the 1980′s. She has campaigned against sweatshop labour and the use of pesticides in cotton growing.

‘From Brainwave to Business’ is the latest in the British Library and HSBC’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs series.

Visit the HSBC Business Network to join the debate for this event and raise the profile of your business.

Live webcast

If you can’t make the event, don’t worry – we’re webcasting live! Watch the debate online and ask questions at www.inspiringentrepreneurswebcast.co.uk

Event details

Who should attend? Entrepreneurs and SMEs
Place: British Library Conference Centre
Cost: £10.00 (concessions £7.50)
How to Book: Call our Box Office on +44 (0)1937 546 546 or visit the website to book online

Event dates

Wed 23 September 2009, 18.15 – 21.00