Intellectual property minister, Baroness Wilcox, challenged UK firms to make more use of the ‘green channel’ that helps speed up the patent process for innovative eco-friendly ideas.
The minister was speaking about how more should be made of green technology on a series of visits to companies in Surrey. Baroness Wilcox praised Gordon Murray Design for its use of the ‘green channel’ which has allowed the small-sized company to get its product off the ground faster and go on to produce low-cost, environmentally friendly cars which use recycled plastic bottles in the cars’ body panels.
Ms Wilcox said: “It’s tremendous to see how an idea has been turned into an actual business product swiftly and efficiently. By using the ‘green channel’, an environmentally friendly idea and novel approach to manufacturing is being brought to market quickly, helping to deliver real value and growth to a small British firm.”
Wilcox commented on her visit that protecting intellectual property, and maximising its economic potential, was vital to boosting business in the UK and that there should be a higher level of effort made towards achieving this.
Gordon Murray Design designed and developed the iStream automotive manufacturing process which they are beginning to licence out so that other companies can invest in, manufacture and deliver their environmentally friendly cars.
It was visited by Wilcox because it used the ‘green channel’ to obtain UK patents which meant they were processed faster because the invention had an environmental benefit and allowed them greater protection and more freedom.
Gordon Murray said: “iStream manufacturing technology has created an opportunity for Gordon Murray Design to construct a unique IP model in the automotive sector.”
