IPR helpdesk pilot project enters new phase
The current IPR helpdesk pilot project, established by the European Commission in September 1998, is to end on August 31 this year. The project's main aim is to provide intellectual property rights (IPR) advice and support to current and potential research and technological contractors involved in EU-supported research projects. The helpdesk provides two support tools to help with IPR-related matters: - a website (www.ipr-helpdesk.org) with over 10,000 pages of multilingual information on intellectual property rights issues - a free legal helpline (info@ipr-helpdesk.org) aimed at participants in EU-funded research under the Fourth and Fifth Framework programmes The Commission is using the experience gathered during the pilot project in the next phase of the IPR helpdesk project, currently under contract negotiation with the selected contractor following a call for proposals in December 2000. During the project, the website has attracted an average of 1000 visitors per day. The helpline provided personal support on a range of issues, from general intellectual property questions to writing consortium agreements. Many helpline users can now find the information they need from the wide range of guides, briefing papers and tutorials that are available from the website in English, French and German. A large number of items are also available in Italian and Spanish.