For UK small businesses, the fight to protect their intellectual property and establish clear patents just got easier

The government has announced new measures to help small businesses protect their intellectual property.

The changes follow an announcement that a small claims process is to be introduced at the Patents County Court for cases involving copyright, trademarks and designs.

Now the Department for Innovation, Business and Skills has said SMEs will also benefit from:

- Free intellectual property audits through organisations such as the Technology Strategy Board

- An online register of advisors to help businesses find the right advisor for them quickly and easily

- A government consultation for businesses, advisers and intellectual property specialists on how lower cost advice could be provided.

The changes are part of the government's Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth initative, and is a result of the Hargreaves Review. The review recommended that the Intellectual Property Office should produce plans to improve the accessibility of the intellectual property system to smaller companies.

Among the other changes put into action as a result of the review is an an online patent service that removes the cost to businesses of requesting patent documents by making them available for free.

The changes look set to help SMEs gain a stronger foothold in the UK's competitive marketplace and grow their businesses. “The intellectual property of small and medium sized businesses is vital to their future economic growth and success," says Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Wilcox. "Their innovative ideas and creations can be worth billions of pounds so it is essential that we provide them with the support they need to protect and enforce their rights."