About Intellectual Property
The APMG Advantage
The APM Group is dedicated to working with partner and client organizations to ensure their Intellectual Property (IP) is managed and controlled in a manner they see fit for their business. Depending on the requirements, we have the resources to sub-license IP in conjunction with any qualification scheme and can review and refine policies and guidelines for protection and use by third parties. Part of our role when working with organizations is ensuring IP abuse is reduced.
The importance of actively controlling IP is to ensure there is no loss of quality in material available to the user. A pre-requisite of obtaining a licence to re-use IP includes quality reviews to ensure all products and services add value and are of the right standard to support the brand.
Only ATOs/authorized affiliates have licenses to offer training courses that incorporate trademarks and copyright material from the brands we work with. These ATOs have been fully accredited and approved by APMG-International. Our accreditation process involves an assessment of the organization's management systems, course materials and trainers. All licensed parties have a right to use logos related to their activity alongside the licence to use the IP. Organizations offering training who are not accredited may be in breach of Intellectual Property law.
One of our key brands consists of the Cabinet Office Best Practice Portfolio. Only Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs) and their authorised affiliates have licenses to offer training courses that incorporate official Cabinet Office trademarks, brands and Crown copyright material. These ATOs have been fully accredited by an approved Examination Institute. Organizations offering training who are not accredited by an approved Examination Institute are considered "grey trainers" and are in breach of Intellectual Property law.
For more information on the use of Cabinet Office Intellectual Property please visit the relevant official website for the Best Practice guidance in question, all of which can be accessed via the Best Management Practice website.
Infringements
Dealing with infringements is vital to protecting IP and ensuring the quality of goods and services available. APM Group has a vested interest in ensuring the IP of the brands we manage is protected and all infringements are pursued. We actively assist in the protection of all our partners IP by direct surveillance of websites and by using our network of Accredited Organizations to bring potential infringements to our attention and take action where necessary. If you are aware of any infringement please do not hesitate to contact us.
Please note that the Cabinet Office Best Practice Portfolio infringements are handled by TSO. Through the Intellectual Property Management Board chaired by the Cabinet Office, APM Group work together with the Cabinet Office and TSO to assist in the protection of Cabinet Office's IP. We rely on our network of Accredited Organizations and other community members to notify us of anything that they regard as a misuse of IPR including any training companies using material without being accredited. All notifications are taken very seriously and are investigated very thoroughly.
Please report any use of Cabinet Office's IPR which you think is unauthorized to TSO here, via the Best Management Practice site, or contact us through the APM Group Service Desk.
