KnowingIPR – Fostering Innovation in the Danube Region through Knowledge Engineering and IPR Management
Project Focus
The KnowING IPR project (Interreg Danube) is focused on fostering innovation in the Danube Region by improving the management of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Its key purpose is to make IPR knowledge more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The project is developing new online tools (including a portal and a mobile application) that utilize knowledge engineering to effectively combine public databases. Simultaneously, it is designing educational programs for SMEs to promote the transfer of knowledge from scientific institutions into practice.
The KnowING IPR project is implemented under the Interreg Danube Transnational Programme (DTP). It is a multifaceted and unique project whose primary purpose is to bring knowledge and information regarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) closer to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Furthermore, it aims to stimulate cooperation between SMEs, higher education and research institutions, and the support environment (development agencies, chambers of commerce, etc.).
While the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto (FIŠ) serves as the lead partner, the consortium includes partners from nearly all countries in the Danube region, including two associate countries, Ukraine and Moldova.
The Danube region, stretching from Germany and Slovenia in the northwest to Romania and Bulgaria in the southeast, is characterized by significantly varying levels of IPR knowledge and management. Therefore, in addition to assessing the current state and developing tools for better awareness and management—especially for SMEs—the 35-month project includes the creation of an online portal and a mobile application. These tools will provide support and assistance in transferring knowledge, best practices, and skills into practical use.
With a total budget of 2.15 million euros, the project will utilize knowledge engineering technologies to develop new online tools. These will enable the effective combination and application of existing knowledge accessible via public and open (free) databases and IPR sources (research results, patent databases, scientific and professional literature). Additionally, the project will design educational programs and tools for successful IPR management, specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs to foster the transfer of knowledge from scientific institutions into practice.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite all small, medium, and large enterprises to express their interest in participating in this project as users. We look forward to collaborating with you. Please send your expressions of interest to: janez.kolar@fuds.si
Web page: https://dtp.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/knowing-ipr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knowingipr/
Novice:
To facilitate the management of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), the KnowING HUB platform, the KnowING IPR Helpdesk service, and the MeetIPRhub program were established as part of the KnowING IPR project.
The KnowING IPR project, which has been fostering innovation in the Danube Region since 2018 through knowledge engineering and IPR management, is reaching its conclusion in 2021. As part of the project, a functional platform called the KnowING HUB was launched. It serves as a central point where users can acquire both basic and advanced knowledge on IPR management. Additionally, users have access to an advanced patent analytics tool (powered by knowledge engineering). This tool, developed specifically for the KnowING IPR project, is freely accessible to users at: https://knowing-ipr.eu/. To ensure targeted use, a specialized educational package was developed, featuring two modules tailored for both basic and advanced users, offering a wide range of video content and reading materials.
For those seeking more specific information regarding the use and protection of intellectual property, the KnowING IPR Helpdesk service was created. It provides answers to standard inquiries, while more complex questions are addressed by experts from the KnowING IPR consortium.
In the first half of 2021, the project successfully implemented the first mentoring program aimed at better understanding and exploiting protected intellectual content, named MeetIPRhub. Within this program, approximately 20 organizations and companies were provided with training, workshops, and individual consultations in the fields of patent analytics and IPR management.
Before the project concludes in December 2021, several additional outputs and events are in preparation. First, a set of policy recommendations will be drafted to encourage and increase the recognition of the potential of IPR protection within companies. The second half of 2021 will be dedicated to a second round of the mentoring program – MeetIPRhub2. Project Manager Dr. Tamara Besednjak Valič from the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto states that “the project extension and the re-run of the mentoring program are exceptional opportunities for anyone wishing to successfully enter the market with their innovations through proper protection.”
For more information, please visit the website http://www.interreg-danube.eu/approved-projects/knowing-ipr or contact us via email at: janez.kolar@fuds.si.
The KnowING IPR project – Fostering Innovation in the Danube Region through Knowledge Engineering and IPR Management – is co-funded by European Union funds (ERDF, IPA, ENI).