A new service aimed at helping to safeguard the rights of businesses, inventors and entrepreneurs has been launched by Gloucestershire Libraries.

Free information and advice is now available about intellectual property, which refers to creations of the mind, including inventions, literary or artistic works and other designs.

There are various rights in existence to help protect the names and look of your products or brands, but not all businesses have taken steps to gain this protection.

Protecting your business from the outset allows you to act against infringement, as well as creating opportunities by licensing your intellectual property out to third parties.

The new information service launched by Gloucestershire Libraries is called Ask Us Business and Patent Library Centre (PatLib) and is based at Gloucester Library.

Staff will be able to provide free advice on a wide range of aspects of intellectual property, such as trademarks, patents, designs and copyright, along with information on how to identify and protect it.

Customers can visit the library to discuss their enquiries during office hours, 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. You can also email patlibgloucester@gloucestershire.gov.uk or phone 01452 426 977.

As the service becomes more established, free one hour confidential one-to-one sessions will be offered where businesses, inventors or entrepreneurs can discuss their intellectual property and can be guided to local support and resources, whether they are just starting out or are an established business.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member for libraries, said: "This new service will offer invaluable support to businesses and individuals who need advice on protecting their intellectual property.

"It may be something that gets forgotten when new products or brands are designed, but it's important to get that protection and our staff will ensure you have all the information and support you need to make that happen."