A number of best practices and recommendations for the transfer of knowledge have been defined within the framework of the European Union with the dual aim of promoting the dissemination of results and protecting intellectual property. The ultimate intention is to promote a series of initiatives including collaboration between the various different agents involved in the generation of knowledge and the fostering of international relationships, whilst guaranteeing equitable treatment for all those working in the field of intellectual property.

EPO Training

The European Patent Office (EPO) training initiative involves a programme of courses which include events, conferences, seminars and workshops on subjects related to the protection of intellectual and industrial property. The courses usually have an online format.

Responsible partnering

The Responsible Partnering Initiative was established in 2004, when public and private European organisations, universities and companies agreed to establish a guide based on best practices for effective collaboration between Universities and Companies. An important part of the publication focuses on the problems arising from intellectual property management.

Other examples in the field of knowledge transfer

The following organisations are good examples in the field of knowledge transfer in terms of taking into account the various different forms of exploitation, support mechanisms, approaches to the development of licensing policies, distribution of financial returns and the monitoring of intellectual property:

• The Intellectual Property Experts Group: a group of consultants with extensive experience in intellectual property who provide expert advice on patent acquisition, strategy development, creative focus and access to private finance.
• The Irish Code of Practices for intellectual property.
• The German TTO Code of Practices aimed at SMEs.
• The ACES awards for University – Business collaboration projects. More than 20 universities and research centres are involved in this initiative.
• Lambert Contracts. In these types of contracts, intellectual property rights are clarified at a very early stage of the process. There are five different non-compulsory partnership models which can help reduce the amount of time and resources needed to establish a project.

Agents required for implementation

These activities require close collaboration between all three parties, although some of the ideas could be implemented by any one of them individually.

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1. http://aces.sciencebusiness.net/aces/ - European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
2. http://ec.europa.eu/invest-in-research/ - Investing in European Research - European Commission.
3. www.ipo.gov.uk/lambert-  Lambert contracts (Intellectual Property Office).
4. http://www.epo.org/learning-events/events/training.html - European Patent Office.
5. http://www.forfas.ie/media/icsti040407_ip_code_of_practice.pdf- Forfás (Irland).
6. http://www.ipeg.eu/ - Intellectual Property Experts Group.