Following the success of last years Junior Inventor competition the Patents Office is pleased to announce the launch of Junior Inventor 2011. The competition is aimed at Primary School children and its aim is to encourage children to be innovative and sow the seeds of interest in science and engineering at an early age.
This competition is organised each year to mark the Patents Office contribution to World Intellectual Property Day, which is held annually on 26th April.
Enter any idea or invention for a new product or procedure, an improvement on an existing product, or any idea that solves a problem or makes life better or easier.
Student's will be required to submit a drawing or illustration for their invention accompanied by a written description (see competition rules for further details).
The competition is divided into two categories with one overall winner who will be presented with the Junior Inventor 2011 award. The categories are:-
1. First Class to Third Class
2. Fourth Class to Sixth Class
Prizes will be awarded in each category and the first placed winners in each category will also receive a prize for their schools.
Further information on World Intellectual Property Day can be accessed at www.wipo.int
and information on Intellectual Property can be accessed at the following websites:
www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ahrpa/opa/kids/
www.crackingideas.com
The closing date for entries is 5.00pm on Friday 15th April, 2011. All entries should be clearly marked "Junior Inventor Competition" and sent to:-
The Patents Office
Government Buildings
Hebron Road
Kilkenny
Tel: 056 7720111
Lo Call: 1890 220223
The Patents Office will not regard an entry in this competition as constituting a patent application.
Those entrants wishing to obtain a patent for their invention should make a separate application for the grant of a patent. Details on how to apply for a patent can be found on www.patentsoffice.ie/en/patents_apply.aspx. Where an entrant has filed a patent application in respect of the invention entered in the competition, this should be disclosed with the entry.