Guidance

Getting smarter about intellectual property and other intangibles in the public sector: implementation study terms of reference

Published 21 December 2018

© Crown copyright 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/knowledge-assets-implementation-study-terms-of-reference/getting-smarter-about-intellectual-property-and-other-intangibles-in-the-public-sector-implementation-study-draft-terms-of-reference

1. Context

At Budget 2018 HM Treasury published a report ‘Getting smart about intellectual property and other intangibles in the public sector’.

The report looks at the potential value that could be unlocked from more effective management of IP and other intangibles, or knowledge assets, in the public sector. It also sets out the following high-level recommendations to improve the management of public sector knowledge assets, and generate greater social, economic and financial value.

  1. Central support: establish a centre of expertise within government to provide advice and support on the technical, legal, commercial and financial aspects of generating and exploiting knowledge assets
  2. Network: build a network across the public and private sectors of experts and leaders focused on generating value from knowledge assets, to share best practices and exploit synergies across organisational boundaries
  3. Valuation: develop new standards and approaches for measuring and reporting the value of knowledge assets in the public sector
  4. Recognition: establish a central repository detailing government knowledge asset holdings and their value
  5. Protection: register intellectual property assets with the most commercial potential so that their value to the UK is maximised
  6. Reporting: publish an annual report on the government’s knowledge asset holdings and progress in their exploitation
  7. Guidance: design and implement best practice protocols for development, protection and commercialisation of public sector knowledge assets
  8. Data: as part of the National Data Strategy, explore how the public sector can further exploit its data and the associated knowledge assets it generates
  9. Investment: develop financial, contractual and organisational structures that facilitate knowledge asset commercialisation and effective partnerships with the private sector
  10. Incentives: enhance organisational and professional incentives for knowledge asset development and exploitation

2. Scope

The study will explore the detail of the recommendations with a view to determining the most effective approach to implementation.

3. Output

The study will deliver a detailed implementation strategy to ministers in HM Treasury, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Cabinet Office, by summer 2019.

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