Summary of the impact

The Centre for Intellectual Property and Policy Management (CIPPM) is a multi-disciplinary research hub at Bournemouth University (BU). Its ethos is to bring evidence-based, academic rigor to the regulation of intellectual property. Consequently, the research has become an increasingly important resource to those involved in the legislative process. This case study illustrates CIPPM's evidence-based, policy-shaping research through two specific examples from 2013: 1) providing the evidence base for the proposed copyright exception for parody and 2) providing the evidence base for an open standards policy in Government IT procurement.

Summary of the impact

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats attend over 15,000 incidents annually with an average of 22 people rescued daily. Previously friction and wear on launch slipways adversely impacted safe lifeboat launching, costing the RNLI up to £260k/year. Lifeboat crewmen would address this issue by applying a layer of grease along the slipway, but repeated use had both safety and environmental implications. In 2005 this prompted the RNLI to draw on Bournemouth University's (BU) extensive green tribology expertise to find a solution. Collaboration between BU and the RNLI led to the redesign of slipway panels to double their life-span and switch from grease to a water lubrication system. As well as safety and environmental benefits, this saves the charity £1 million over a 5 year term, allowing resources to be focused on life-saving.

Summary of the impact

Parody of music videos, television shows and other media is not permitted under UK intellectual property law. In 2011, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) commissioned Bournemouth University (BU) to study the economic effects of parody on commercial rights holders. The research found the process does not have negative impacts on the market and in many cases contributes to the commercial success of original works. The study identified further social and cultural benefits. In 2012, the Government adopted BU's recommendations to change the law and proposed a copyright exception for parody, making it exempt from copyright laws.

Summary of the impact

Aston's research on inward investment has had considerable reach and significance, improving economic policy analysis on the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI). The research has:

• Influenced the development of economic policy for the Manchester and Birmingham City Regions.
• Changed awareness and understanding within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and UK Trade and Investment of the effects of inward investment, allowing them to judge ex ante whether certain types of inward investment are likely to benefit the UK economy.
• Changed the strategic thinking underlying the European Union's framework for evaluating the impact of outward FDI on EU countries.