IP Inclusive
IP Inclusive encourages diversity and inclusion within our profession.
IP Inclusive is the collective initiative of the intellectual property (IP) professions to encourage diversity and inclusion.
Launched in 2015, the project has seen its influence grow as more firms and individuals have pledged support and further specialist support groups have been set up.
Events, training, resources and support have all been put on and provided by IP Inclusive to the collective benefit of the whole profession and beyond. To date IP Inclusive has won two sector awards for its work.
2018 saw the official launch of Careers in Ideas, an initiative to inspire the next generation into a career in IP.
Upcoming events
IP Inclusive holds regular events for the profession. IP Inclusive events can contribute towards CPD for Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys and CITMA Paralegals.
Support groups
IP Out
A networking group for LGBT people and ‘allies’ working in the intellectual property professions. Anyone working in IP is welcome, not just attorneys.
It hosts a mixture of talks and panel discussions as well as more informal social events. Which are all open for everyone to attend.
Women in IP
For all women working in the IP professions. This group supports women already working within the IP professions and to encourage the next generation of female IP practitioners to join the profession and climb through its ranks.
You do not have to be a patent or trade mark attorney to join or attend events – anyone working in IP is welcome. Men are welcome to attend events organised by the Women in IP group.
The Women in IP group hosts events around the UK. These include talks and panel discussions as well as more informal social events.
Twitter - @WomeninIPI
IP & ME
This group celebrates diversity and inclusion in the IP professions and supports ethnic minority IP practitioners at all stages of their careers.
The group brings people together to discuss a range of issues concerning the IP professions.
Contact:IP Ability
IP Ability is the IP Inclusive community for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, carers and allies working within the IP professions.
The group provide a supportive and informative network focusing on the issues relating to disability and long-term health conditions of all kinds, be they mental or physical, visible or invisible, permanent or temporary, sudden onset or progressive.
IP Futures
IP Futures is a community for early career stage IP professionals. It’s intended to offer networking and support for people in their first 5 or 6 years or so as IP professionals.
The community covers all IP-related roles including paralegals and formalities officers, secretaries, patent office examiners, searchers and information scientists, IP managers, IP solicitors and barristers, and patent and trade mark attorneys.
Charter for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The cornerstone of IP Inclusive is its Charter for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
The document is a public commitment by organisations to follow to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of employment practice, especially recruitment and retention, career development and workplace ethos.
Signing up to the charter requires the appointment of an ‘equality, diversity and inclusion officer’ who can certify compliance every year. This helps spread best practice across the profession.
More than 120 firms and organisations have signed the charter, making public their commitment.