Business and IP research services
We offer a range of paid research services, including market research reports and intellectual property searches. Ideal if you are tight on time or need something bespoke or in-depth.
How we can help
Our specialist team are happy to do your research for you. Just let us know what you want to find out. We have years of experience and expertise helping:
- Inventors and designers check the novelty of their ideas when considering applying for a patent, registered design or registered trade mark
- Entrepreneurs find market, supplier, funding and competitor information to develop their business idea and build their business plan
- Legal professionals in the patent litigation process.
The service is charged at £108.40 (+VAT for UK customers) per hour.
Contact our team for more information to see how we can help you bipc-research@bl.uk.
Our paid research services
Market research
Commission us to undertake bespoke desk research for you. Ideal if you are building your business plan, pitching, or need the latest data to make big decisions. Our tailored reports can include:
- Statistics on the demand for your product or service
- Your target customers and their attitudes
- Competitors and their market share
- Your market sector now and future category trends and forecasts
- Potential grants and funding.
Contact our team for more information bipc-research@bl.uk.
Patent searching
Before you patent your invention, you will need to check if it already exists. Our team can conduct searches and highlight relevant patents for you, including:
- Prior art patent searches
- Freedom to operate patent searches
- Registered design searches.
Contact our team for more information bipc-research@bl.uk.
Trade mark searching
We can help you find out if your trade mark is distinctive before you make an application. An essential step to avoid costly mistakes. Our team can research:
- Registered trade marks from 1876 to present
- Usage of trade marks over time
Contact our team for more information bipc-research@bl.uk.
Public Availability Date searches (PADs)
A date of public availability is a provable record of when a printed work was made available to the public. PADs can be useful in some intellectual property disputes.
Our team can search the world-leading British Library collections and provide a written statement confirming the date that specific items entered the catalogue for the public to access.
Contact our team for more information bipc-research@bl.uk.
Self-serve business and IP information
You can also do your own research for free in the Business & IP Centre Reading Room on Floor 1 of the British Library. You just need a free Reader Pass.
Explore the UK’s largest collection of business and IP information, including databases of premium market research, company reports and the latest funding opportunities.
We also offer regular free workshops to show you how to research and make the most of these databases.
Visit us for business information
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