Free IPO tools for buying teams
Use the free IP Health Check to identify issues, then IP Equip to help your buying team understand them. Turn the findings into assigned tasks for searches, ownership records, confidentiality and protection advice before approving artwork or production. Coordinate the factory documents with Cambridge China Bridge.
Prepare a range file before using the tools
Collect proposed brand names, logos, product drawings, packaging, photographs, instructions and details of any technical development. Record who supplied each asset, its version and what evidence you have about ownership or permission to use it. Include factory catalogue material as well as work commissioned for your range.
Keep separate questions for protecting your own work and checking material supplied by others. For the latter, use our guide to copying a competitor's product. For the supplier-facing precautions already covered elsewhere, see protecting IP and tooling.
Use Health Check to find the gaps
Access IP Health Check through the IPO business tools guidance. Registration gives access to the free tools. Health Check produces a confidential report based on your answers.
Have the range buyer complete it with the people responsible for design and branding. Where an answer is uncertain, record the missing document or unanswered question. Keep the report with the range file and turn its findings into tasks.
Use IP Equip to brief the team
IP Equip provides learning about trade marks, patents, copyright and designs. Ask buyers, designers and the person approving packaging to use it before reviewing the range file together.
Practise with your proposed products: identify the brand assets, appearance, technical features and creative files that need attention. Ask each colleague to explain what evidence they would request from the factory. Keep unresolved questions for a professional adviser.
Turn findings into protection tasks
IPO guidance recommends advice before applying and checking for similar patents, trade marks or designs. Assign searches and save the results with the exact product or asset reviewed. Escalate uncertain matches before committing to branded packaging or tooling.
Use the task list below as a working brief. For trade mark scope, consult UK trade mark classes; for development files and handover, use factory drawing ownership.
| Asset or issue | Buying-team task | Evidence to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Brand name and logo | Arrange a trade mark search and advice on relevant classes and filing | Search results, approved brand artwork and recorded filing decision |
| Product appearance | Arrange a design search and advice on whether to seek registration | Dated drawings, search results and recorded protection decision |
| Technical development | Ask a patent adviser to assess the development before wider disclosure | Technical brief, disclosure record and adviser instructions |
| Artwork, photographs and instructions | Check the source and agreed use of each file | Creator details, dated originals and written permissions or ownership documents |
| Confidential files | Agree which files may be shared, with whom and at which buying stage | Approved sharing list and record of files released |
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Make the file part of order approval
Before approving samples, packaging or production, review open tasks with the person authorised to accept the commercial risk. Record completed actions, unresolved questions, named owners and the event that should trigger another review. Revisit the file when the brand, appearance, supplier or technical specification changes.
For copyright, protection arises automatically and there is no UK register of copyright works. Keep creation and permission records rather than creating a copyright filing task. Cambridge China Bridge's staff in China can help collect factory documents and compare supplied artwork with the versions your team has approved.
Frequently asked questions
Are IP Health Check and IP Equip free?
Yes. The IPO business tools guidance says the tools are free to use, with access after registration.
Which should my buying team use first?
Start with Health Check to surface gaps in the range file. Use Equip to help colleagues understand those gaps, then agree who will complete each resulting task.
Can I approve a factory design after Health Check?
Treat the report as an action list. Before approval, resolve questions about ownership, permission and similar existing rights, and obtain professional advice where the position is unclear.
Do I need to register copyright for packaging artwork?
UK copyright protection arises automatically; there is no UK copyright register. Keep the original files, creator details and written evidence of your right to use the artwork.