CORDIS - the link between intellectual property and innovation
CORDIS, the European Community R&D Information Service, is the ideal window through which to explore cooperation opportunities between intellectual property rights (IPR) professionals and innovation players. Operated by the EU's Innovation and SMEs programme, part of the Fifth Framework Programme, CORDIS offers comprehensive information and guidance on the Framework Programme, how to participate in it and how to access the results. All the information, together with a range of ancillary services also serving to foster the link between research and innovation, is easily accessible on the CORDIS website. CORDIS encapsulates the entire spirit of the Patinnova '99 and EPIDOS events, taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece, during the week of 18 to 22 October 1999. Visitors to the CORDIS stand in the exhibition area can explore the full range of information and test the interactive services on offer. By combining the interests of patent professionals and the innovation community at large, CORDIS provides permanent links for cooperation, and raises awareness of patent issues among researchers and innovation players - a major theme of this year's Patinnova conference. A gateway to the world of patent information: CORDIS hosts the IPR Helpdesk website, set up as a result of the last Patinnova conference (Vienna, 1997). A tutorial, created by the IPR Helpdesk in cooperation with the European Patent Organisation, provides on-line training in the use of the esp@cenet search system, and will be given large-screen demonstrations during the Patinnova conference. Helping researchers to protect their technological achievements: CORDIS caters especially for the patent needs of participants in EU-funded research projects, offering them the opportunity to locate free-of-charge the necessary assistance to register, protect and exploit their inventions. This is just part of a wider package of interactive services for actual and potential participants in EU research: expressions of interest, search for partners, assistance in project preparation, information on on-going research and research results, etc. Investing in innovation: CORDIS hosts the LIFT (Linking Innovation, Finance and Technology) Helpdesk. This fully confidential service is offered to both established and emerging entrepreneurs, in particular those participating in EU-funded research. LIFT helps them turn promising research results into commercial ventures, by offering assistance in contacting investors willing to consider investment in innovative projects. For firms seeking help in the practical details of innovation and technology transfer, CORDIS provides contact details for innovation support services such as the network of Innovation Relay Centres covering the EU and a number of neighbouring countries. A virtual technology marketplace: CORDIS holds details of 130,000 opportunities to exploit existing or emerging technologies from completed and ongoing, EU and national, research projects. User-friendly search facilities, such as a map-based search tool, make it easy to pick out the most likely paths to find the technologies that enterprises need. The Rapidus service allows users to programme CORDIS to send e-mail notification of new information, as soon as it is added to CORDIS, in any sector they care to define. CORDIS also offers on-line access to the European Commission's magazines on research and innovation. For journalists it provides a press information service on the results of EU research. Visiting the CORDIS stand at Patinnova '99 and EPIDOS is an ideal opportunity to find all the ingredients of innovation success, offered free-of-charge by the European Commission.
Countries
Greece