In this latest government response to professor Ian Hargreaves report on copyright, which recommended 10 major changes to free-up existing laws around intellectual property, Dr Cable said the government would run a national consumer campaign from next spring to highlight concerns about illegal downloading and counterfeiting.

He announced plans to speed up the approval process for patents to 90 days, from the current waiting time of up to three or four years. The trademarks examination service will be cut from 10 days to five. The government also hopes to respond to recommendations on proposed copyright exceptions - such as ending the law that makes it illegal to download a CD on to an MP3 player - in the New Year.

The intellectual property office, which is part of the government's department for business, innovation and skills, will pilot an advisory service aimed at helping small- and medium-sized businesses profit from their trademarks.

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