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Cambridge Research and Innovation Limited

CRIL is an investment fund for innovators who are creating valuable new technology through their research. For each venture which CRIL supports, we work closely with the innovators, building a venture around their technology. In addition to funds, CRIL invests a considerable amount of its management's time to nurturing the venture through the early stages of its growth. CRIL is looking new technologies with specific applications, where the technology so applied, produces products which have significant advantages over the competition; new technologies which can be protected by patent design registration or copyright, and have the potential to address large, possibly global, markets. CRIL will consider investments in newly-emerging technologies across the entire scientific spectrum. We typically invest between £50,000 and £350,000 in milestone-related stages in UK based ventures. Where appropriate, CRIL will provide funding for patent applications, market research, and prototype development, and provide management input, and secretarial and accounting support.

CRIL welcomes initial contact from innovators, either by telephone or letter. CRIL will then work with the innovator to develop a proposal for investment, or evaluate an existing proposal. All information provided during this process is treated as confidential.

For more information, contact Chris Smart or Lucy Block, CRIL, 13 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JB (tel. 01223 312856).

CRIL's capital comes from insurance companies, pension funds, the University of Cambridge, and some of its Colleges. For information on the interaction with the University, please contact Dr Richard Jennings, Wolfson Industrial Liaison Office, 20 Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QA (tel. 01223 334755, fax 01223 332797).

PATENT CLINIC: ADVICE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

(with Page, White and Farrer)

Professional advice on intellectual property rights (patents, copyright, design) is a crucial step in protecting inventors' rights in the process of commercialization. Patents may give protection to novel devices, systems, processes, and products. Designs relate to the appearance of products. Copyright may protect software. It is only by seeking legal rights, e.g. by way of a patent, that the commercial potential of many new ideas can be fully exploited. To obtain effective patent protection it is essential that a patent application is filed at the Patent Office before publication or any non-confidential disclosure.

Cambridge Research and Innovation Ltd in association with Page, White and Farrer, Chartered Patent Agents, hold monthly patent clinics in Cambridge for researchers to give preliminary confidential guidance. Page, White and Farrer is a London firm of qualified patent practitioners, including several Cambridge graduates, having a wide variety of technical backgrounds including electronics, physics, engineering, material sciences, chemistry, and biotechnology.

The next patent clinic will be held at 13 Station Road, Cambridge, on 9 November 1999. Please contact Chris Smart or Lucy Block at CRIL on 312856 to arrange a time for a confidential discussion. There is no charge for the service, nor any obligation.


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Cambridge University Reporter, 13 October 1999
Copyright © 1999 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.