Using Birmingham’s Business & IP Centre Before Launching a Product

Before launching a product, you can use Birmingham’s Business & IP Centre to investigate customers, competitors and intellectual property questions. The centre lists market research and company databases, patent searches and staff guidance. Start with the questions that could change your product decision, then ask which resource or appointment can help you investigate them.[1][2]

Bring a Research Question You Can Actually Answer

The Business & IP Centre, usually shortened to BIPC, lists market research databases, company information, patent searches and books for loan. Staff can guide customers through those resources. You don’t need to arrive knowing which subscription to use, but it helps to know what you’re trying to establish.[1]

Write a short description of the product and its intended customer. Then separate your questions. Who might buy it? Which businesses already serve those customers? What do you need to ask an intellectual property adviser? Take any existing company names and search terms with you as starting points.[1][2]

For example, if your idea is a product for independent retailers, ask staff which resources could help you investigate that customer group and identify relevant companies. That’s a suggested research task, rather than a promise that a named database contains the answer. Keep the first session focused enough to leave with findings you can use.[1]

Library Databases and Home Access Have Different Routes

BIPC names Creditsafe, IBIS World, Kompass and FAME among its free business databases for use in the library. Its listing also says qualified and experienced staff are available to guide customers through the resources. Ask which resource suits your question before choosing a database simply because you recognise its name.[1]

The listing doesn’t explain the search, download or copying permissions attached to each subscription. Before building a research session around a particular report, ask whether you can access it and what information you can retain. This is especially useful if you want to return to the findings while preparing a business plan.[1]

COBRA, a business reference database, has a separately stated remote access route. The listing says anyone can use it free at home or work by registering with Birmingham Library Service and using their library card number. That gives you a specific option to ask about if you want to begin away from the library.[1]

Home access to the other named databases isn’t established by that statement. Their published access description is for use in the library. If remote research is essential for you, confirm which resources you can use before setting aside time.[1]

Keep Commercial Research and IP Questions Distinct

Keep separate notes for customer research, company research and intellectual property, shortened to IP. For each finding, record the resource, what it says and the question it helps answer. Where a report includes figures, note the period and geography it covers rather than treating every result as evidence about Birmingham customers.[1]

For unresolved IP questions, ask about an adviser appointment. Patent searches appear among BIPC’s resources, while specialist appointments and attorney referrals are separately listed services. Use the research notes to explain what you’ve already looked at and where you need further help.[1][2]

Contact the Birmingham Team Before Planning an Appointment

The Intellectual Property Office’s UK patent library directory gives the Birmingham centre’s address as Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2ND. It lists the telephone number as 0121 303 6800 and the email address as BusinessandLearning@birmingham.gov.uk.[2]

The Birmingham entry describes a daily one-hour individual appointment with an IP adviser, by appointment only. It also lists referrals to a patent or trade mark attorney for a 30-minute individual appointment. Contact the team to confirm a suitable slot rather than assuming an adviser will be available when you arrive.[2]

BIPC’s programme listing describes free one-to-one business and IP advice, including remote and in-person formats. The directory doesn’t specify a fee for the separate attorney referral appointment. Ask about the cost and format of that particular service when enquiring.[1][2]

Before finishing your research session, identify the question that remains open. Ask whether it calls for another database, an IP appointment or a referral to a different advice provider. Take that question into your next enquiry, together with the findings you’ve already recorded.[1][2]