The crucial issue of protecting Intellectual Property will be the focus of a free workshop for SMEs next week.

The University of Cumbria is holding the event to help small and medium sized enterprises to better understand the role of IP and how to manage it to create value and commercial success.

A mixture of presentations and break-out session will cover everything from protecting new designs and ideas, through to copyright, trademarks, design rights and patents.

Experts will use real life case studies to help demystify the issue, while a Patent Attorney will be on hand to answer individual queries and offer one-to-one advice.

The event has been sponsored by Eco-innovation Cumbria, a four-year programme from the university to help SMEs improve efficiency, grow capacity and develop new solutions.

Melanie Burton, Eco-innovation Cumbria Project Manager, said: “Protecting your IP is essential for businesses but often overlooked.

“Investing a day to find out more and get advice from a Patent Attorney could prove to be an invaluable investment to protect ideas and products for the future.”

It takes place at the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Conference & Business Centre at Redhills, near Penrith on Tuesday, September 26.