Guidance

UK PatLib contact information

Updated 3 July 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

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1. Aberdeen Patent Library Centre

1.1 Address

Aberdeen City Council
Business & Employability Service
Central Library
Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen
AB25 1GW
United Kingdom

1.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)12 24070707
Email: BusinessInfo@aberdeencity.gov.uk

1.3 Services available

  • information on Intellectual Property (IP), copies of Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and European Patent Office (EPO) literature
  • enquiry service
  • assisted searching
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • access to internet
  • monthly IP clinics with local Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) members (appointment only)

2. Birmingham Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

2.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Birmingham
Business and Learning
Library of Birmingham
Centenary Square
Birmingham
B1 2ND
United Kingdom

2.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)12 1303 6800
Email: BusinessandLearning@birmingham.gov.uk

2.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • daily one hour 1:1 appointment with IP Advisor (appointment only)
  • referrals to a a Patent or Trademark attorney for a 1:1 (30min appointment only)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • IP workshops and webinars

3. Brighton & Hove Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

3.1 Address

Jubilee Library
1st floor
Jubilee Street
Brighton
BN1 1GE

3.2 Contact details

Telephone: 44 (0) 1273 296944
Email: BIPC@brighton-hove.gov.uk

3.3 Services available:

  • information on IP, copies of IPO literature
  • free 1 hour 1:1 IP Clinic with a BIPC Specialist (appointment only)
  • referrals to a a Patent or Trademark attorney for a 1:1 (30min appointment only)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • IP workshops and webinars

4. Bristol Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

4.1 Address

Bristol Central Library
Deanery Road
City Centre
Bristol
BS1 5TL

4.2 Contact details

Telephone: 44 (0) 117 922 3999
Email: BIPC@bristol.gov.uk

4.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO literature
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • free 1 hour business and IP 1:1 (appointment only)
  • referrals to local IP attorneys
  • workshops and seminars
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

5. Cambridge Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

5.1 Address

Cambridge Central Library
7 Lion Yard
Cambridge
CB2 3QD
United Kingdom

5.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)345 045 5225
Web contact form

5.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • free 1 hour business and IP 1:1 (appointment only)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops and Seminars

6. Cumbria Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

6.1 Address

First Floor
Library
Globe Lane
Carlisle
CA3 8NX

6.2 Contact details

cumbria.bipc@cumbria.gov.uk

6.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • free business and IP 1:1 (appointment only)
  • referrals to IP lawyers for advice and guidance
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops and seminars

7. Devon Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

7.1 Address

Exeter Library

Castle Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3PQ

8. Gloucestershire Patent Library

Gloucester Library
Brunswick Road
Gloucester
GL1 1HT

8.1 Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0) 1452 426977
Email: patlibgloucester@gloucestershire.gov.uk

8.2 Services available

  • information on all aspects of IP including copyright, patents, trade marks and designs
  • enquiry service
  • copies of IPO and EPO Literature
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, access to Fame which is a business and market research database
  • assisted searching
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

9. Glasgow Patent Library Centre

9.1 Address

Business@The Mitchell
The Mitchell Library
North Street
Glasgow
G3 7DN
United Kingdom

9.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0)14 1287 2904
Email: business@glasgowlife.org.uk

9.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • assisted novelty and other IP searches
  • fee based document supply
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • patent clinics

9.4 Address

Gloucestershire Patent Library
Brunswick Road
Gloucester
GL1 1HT

10. Hull Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

10.1 Address

Central Library
Albion Street
Kingston Upon Hull
HU1 3TF
United Kingdom

10.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)14 8222 3344
Fax: +44(0)14 8261 3449
Email: reference.library@hcandl.co.uk

10.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • enquiry service
  • assisted searching by appointment only
  • fee based document supply
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to local IP attorneys
  • workshops and Seminars

11. Kent Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

11.1 Address

Kent History & Library Centre
James Whatman Way
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1LQ

11.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0) 3000 416 438
Email: bipc@kent.gov.uk

11.3 Services available

  • information on IP
  • free 1:1 enquiry service (by appointment)
  • free access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

12. Leeds Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

12.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Leeds
2nd Floor Central Library
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 3AB
United Kingdom

12.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)11 3378 6010
Email: bipcleeds@leeds.gov.uk

12.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • enquiry service
  • advice on searching
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • IP talks available in the library and externally
  • fee based document supply service
  • commissioned novelty, current awareness and other IP searches
  • CIPA patent clinics
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

12.4 Workshops

  • business and IP related seminars
  • “from idea to market” sessions, looking at the process of developing a new product and getting it to market
  • free one to one advice from centre staff, attorneys, lawyers, business advisers, accountants and funding advisers

13. Liverpool Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

13.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Liverpool
Liverpool City Central Library
William Brown Street
Liverpool
L3 8EW
United Kingdom

13.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)15 1233 5835
Email: libraries.enquiries@liverpool.gov.uk

13.3 Services available

  • public reading room
  • search services
  • provision of intellectual property documentation
  • helpdesk services
  • patent clinics

14. British Library Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

14.1 Address

Business & IP Centre London
British Library
Research service
96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB
United Kingdom

14.2 Contact details

Email: The British Library Reference Team
Fax: +44(0)20 7412 7480

14.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • advice on searching
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • fee based document supply service
  • commissioned novelty, current awareness and other IP searches
  • bespoke training sessions
  • Public Availability Date service
  • Business Information Advice Sessions
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • Comprehensive, fully-funded support programme for businesses specifically looking to grow

14.4 Workshops

  • workshops, master-classes and training on a range of business and IP related topics

15. Manchester Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

15.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Manchester
Manchester Central Library
St. Peter's Square
Manchester
M2 5PD

15.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)161 234 1990
Email: patlib@manchester.gov.uk

15.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • enquiry service
  • advice and training on how to use the databases
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • commissioned novelty and other IP searches
  • monthly patent clinics offering free appointments with patent attorneys and business advisors
  • Manchester Inventors group
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

15.4 Workshops

  • workshops covering business and IP related topics
  • workshops for special interest groups

16. Newcastle Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

16.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Newcastle
City Library
Charles Avison Building
33 New Bridge Street West
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8AX
United Kingdom

16.2 Contact details

Email: bipcnewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk

16.3 Services available

  • information on intellectual property
  • assistance with searching
  • commissioned novelty and other intellectual property searches
  • intellectual property advice sessions available by appointment
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

17. Northampton Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

17.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Central Library
Abington Street
Northampton
NN1 2BA
United Kingdom

17.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)16 0436 1447
Email: bipc@northamptonshire.gov.uk

17.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • enquiry service by appointment
  • advice on searching
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • commissioned IP searches
  • bespoke training sessions
  • Business Information Advice Sessions
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops and Seminars

18. Norfolk Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

Business & IP Centre Norfolk
Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library
The Forum
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1AW

18.1 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)1603 774740
Email: businesslibrary@norfolk.gov.uk

18.2 Services available

  • information on IP
  • free 1:1 enquiry service (appointment only)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops and seminars

19. Nottingham Patent Library Centre

19.1 Address

Business & IP Central Nottingham
Nottingham Central Library
Angel Row
Nottingham

19.2 Contact details

Email: mailto:bipc@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

19.3 Services available

  • information on IP
  • free 1:1 enquiry service (by email)
  • free public access to internet
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops and seminars

19.4 Services available

  • free assistance with patent searches by appointment
  • Espacenet search service giving access to UK, European and world patents
  • resources and information on all aspects of IP including copyright, trade marks and designs
  • free computer access
  • enquiry service
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

20. Oxfordshire Patent Library Centre

20.1 Address

Business &IP Centre Oxfordshire
Oxford Westgate Library (2nd floor)
Queen Street
Oxford
OX1 1DJ

20.2 Contact details

Email: bipc@oxfordshire.gov.uk

20.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • advice on searching
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • bespoke training sessions
  • Business Information Advice Sessions
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • Referral to IP specialist partners and services
  • workshops, master-classes and training on a range of business and IP related topics

21. Portsmouth Patent Library Centre

21.1 Address

Portsmouth City Council Library Service
Central Library
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2DX
United Kingdom

21.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)2392 688058 or +44(0)23 9268 8064
Email: reference.library@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

21.3 Services available

  • information on IP, Copies of IPO and EPO Literature
  • enquiry service
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases
  • fee based document supply
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

22. Sheffield Patent Library, Business and Intellectual Property Centre

22.1 Address

Business & IP Centre Sheffield
Central Library
Surrey Street
Sheffield
S1 1XZ
United Kingdom

22.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44(0)11 4273 4736
Email: information.library@sheffield.gov.uk

22.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • enquiry service
  • advice on searching (by appointment)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, databases

  • BizTalks for entrepreneurs and inventors

  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • monthly patent clinics
  • monthly trade mark clinics

22.4 Workshops

  • introductory workshops on intellectual property, trade marks, trade mark searching and copyright
  • research your market workshop

23. Southampton PatLib and Business and IP Centre

23.1 Address

Southampton Central Library
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LW

23.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0) 2380 832609
Email:  bipc@southampton.gov.uk

23.3 Services available

  • information on Intellectual property (IP);
  • trademark search
  • general advice on IP
  • fortnightly free IP clinics (3 half hours sessions) with local Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) members (appointment only)
  • referrals to other advice/service providers

24. Tees Valley Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

24.1 Address

Business & IP Centre
Church Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1TU

24.2 Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 528202
Email: bipc@stockton.gov.uk

24.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • free 1 hour business and IP 1:1 (appointment only)
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources, business and company databases, market research databases
  • referrals to other advice/service providers
  • workshops

25. Worcestershire Patent Library, Business and IP Centre

25.1 Address

The Hive
Sawmill Walk
The Butts
WR1 3PD

25.2 Contact details

Email: BIPC@Worcestershire.gov.uk

25.3 Services available

  • information on IP, copies of IPO and EPO literature
  • monthly IP Drop-in Clinics
  • regular IP workshops and Seminars
  • referrals to local IP attorneys
  • free public access to internet, IP information resources and business databases
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