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Patent protection and enforcement
How to protect your patents from infringement and unlawful use, and your options for resolving patent disputes in and out of court
How to license a patent
How to license a patent and grant the right to another person or business to use your patent, and what benefits you can gain from it
What is a patent?
What are patents, how do they protect your inventions and how can you use patent rights to benefit your business
Can I patent my idea or invention?
You may be able to get a patent if your idea or invention meets the criteria for a patent - to qualify it must be new, inventive and industrially applicable
Advantages and disadvantages of getting a patent
Consider the benefits of patents, as well as possible difficulties patenting may cause, before taking your ideas public
Rules on advertising credit
The rules governing advertisement for credit or hire facilities including providing clear, easily understood information and a representative example.
Innovation and R&D
Guidance on intellectual property, innovation and research and development, and financing business R&D in Northern Ireland
Eureka Network
Information on the world's biggest public network for international cooperation in research, development and innovation
Fire safety and building work
Taking into account building regulations requirements for fire safety when building, extending or materially altering your business premises.
Financial risk
Understand the main types of financial risks to your business and find ways to mitigate and reduce them
Consumer credit rules for businesses that hire out or lease goods
An introduction to how consumer credit rules affect businesses that hire or lease goods including providing a written hire agreement stating the consumer’s rights.
Grow your retail business
Find out how to improve your retail business, attract more customers and grow your sales through tactics like visual merchandising and online retail.
Grow your business successfully
How to identify and overcome the challenges and the pitfalls that you may encounter while growing your business
Does my business need a consumer credit licence?
If you sell on credit, lend money, issue credit cards, collect debts or give debt advice, you may need a consumer credit licence to operate.
How to apply for a consumer credit licence
You can apply for consumer credit licensing from the Financial Conduct Authority who will assess your fitness on factors such as competence and past offences.
Risk management
Introduction to the risk management process and the steps to help you identify, manage and minimise risk in your business
Compliance and regulatory risk
How to identify and manage compliance and regulatory risks in your business
Manage asbestos in rented business property
Responsibilities for managing asbestos in commercial premises, and who exercise them.
Fire safety in rented business property
Key responsibilities for tenants and landlords under fire regulations for commercial property.
Electrical safety in rented business property
How responsibility for electrical safety in commercial premises is determined.