The UK Patent Office just issued this most interesting research paper entitled "Banking on IP?" The study looks at how SMEs - drivers of economic growth - can use or should be able to use their IP assets to secure financial support by banks (i.e. loans).  

The study gives examples of countries such as Malaysia and Singapore that are introducing guarantees to facilitate IP-backed lending.

The read the article go here: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipresearch-right-gen.htm

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think about this study.