The Intangible Assets Network ("Helping the public sector make the most of their intangible assets") is a new initiative from the UK's Intellectual Property Office, an initiative which -- if it can be developed and its momentum sustained -- might be expected to draw some tangible benefits in its wake. From its website here we learn the following: "Intangible Assets (IA) encompass a broad range of assets, for example, data, software, knowledge management systems, business processes, goodwill, licences and intellectual property rights. Intangible Assets have similar characteristics to tangible assets in that they can be owned or controlled by an organization and may have a monetary value [It's depressing to realise that, even in the year 2010, it is necessary to state what should by now be a matter of general knowledge].
The National Asset Register [see here and here] indicates that the value of the public sector IA base is substantial, amounting to several billion pounds.
This website aims toIt is directed particularly at finance officers, information officers and project managers as they are likely to hold some level of responsibility for the management of IA.
- Help you learn about intangible assets;
- Help you manage intangible assets and create value from them;
- Highlight the risks to your organisation if you don't manage IA effectively.
... policies have been developed for the re-use of public information. While the commercialisation of public sector intangible assets might be a legitimate activity these policies and the relevant legislation must be considered.
The content has been developed by a project team comprising:
The Intellectual Property Office;
Environment Agency;
Ministry of Defence;
Intellectual Assets Centre, Scotland;
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Services
The National Archives; and
Department of Health and NHS National Innovation Centre
If you would like to be involved in this work, please contact us".The side bar links to FAQs, procurement issues, finance reporting and other relevant topics.
IP Finance wonders whether similar initiatives have been launched in other countries and, if so, how they have fared. The blog will also be pleased to receive readers' comments concerning IAN.
