EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
Representation
CEIPI/epi - Basic training in European patent law
1. The basic course provides a systematic and comprehensive introduction to the law and practice of the European patent system. Over the years, CEIPI and the epi have together devised a basic training programme in European patent law designed primarily for prospective professional representatives before the EPO.
2. Joint CEIPI/epi basic training courses in European patent law take two years starting either in the autumn or at the beginning of the year (see par. 10).
3. Altogether 39 courses able to accommodate a total of approx. 500 students are currently available in the following cities:
AT: Vienna
BE: Antwerp, Brussels
CH: Basel, Lausanne, Zurich
CZ: Prague
DE: Aachen, Berlin, Cologne, Darmstadt, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Ludwigshafen, Munich, Stuttgart, Ulm
DK: Copenhagen
ES: Madrid, Barcelona
FI: Helsinki
FR: Lyon, Paris (one-year course)
GB: London, Manchester
HU: Budapest
IE: Dublin
IT: Milan, Rome
NL: Eindhoven, The Hague
NO: Oslo
PL: Warsaw, Cracow (one-year course)
PT: Lisbon (one-year course)
RO: Bucharest
SE: Göteborg, Stockholm
TR: Istanbul
4. The basic training scheme, which is also intended to help candidates to prepare for the European qualifying examination, lasts two years and is designed to accompany professional practice, starting shortly after the future patent specialist has begun training with a professional representative or patent department. Students may also be admitted to most courses after the first year.
5. The basic training courses take the form of private study directed and actively supported by local "tutors", all experienced specialists in European patent law, who, according to a schedule published before the start of the course, discuss topics and cases previously prepared by participants, answer questions and set further topics for study. The success of the "tutorial" depends on the active co-operation of the trainees with their own presentations and case studies.
6. The list of topics to be covered encompasses the whole European patent law and qualifying examination syllabus and indicates the reference material to be used. Training material as well as publications and further documents are also made available. The tutors regularly receive circular letters and further training material.
7. Tutors' meetings take place over two days every year at Strasbourg University to discuss in the light of experience how best to structure the courses.
8. On completion of the basic course, candidates are expected to round off their training and prepare for the European qualifying examination (EQE) through private study. Special courses are available, such as the epi tutorials and the five-day CEIPI preparation seminars for the EQE pre-examination and main examination, held in Strasbourg (Paper D in January, Papers A+B, C and pre-exam seminar in November, see the OJ EPO), plus a variety of national courses.
9. Readers are reminded that the basic training course does not dispense with the need for further intensive study for the qualifying examination; it provides candidates with no more than a broad grounding in European patent law and its international ramifications.
10. Several courses start in September or October each year at various centres in the contracting states if there is a minimum of six participants in each case and suitable tutors available. The courses organised in Barcelona, Milan, London, Basel, Zurich, Berlin, Ludwigshafen, Stuttgart, Vienna, Lyon, Lisbon and Cracow start at the beginning of the year, between January and April. For further information please contact the CEIPI office.
For 2014/15, the fee is EUR 1 500 per year of studies (EUR 3 000 for the one-year intensive courses in Paris, Lisbon and Cracow).
11. To enable the next round of courses to be organised in good time, those interested are asked to contact CEIPI as soon as possible and in any event not later than 21 July 2014 for enrolments regarding the courses starting in autumn.
If possible, please apply via our website www.ceipi.edu under "International section" → "Enrolment".
The CEIPI Office can give you any further information you need.
Ms Christiane Melz
Centre d'Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Intellectuelle (CEIPI)
Section Internationale
Université de Strasbourg
11, rue du Maréchal Juin
67000 Strasbourg
France
Tel. +33 (0)368 85 83 13
Fax +33 (0)368 85 85 66
christiane.melz@ceipi.edu
www.ceipi.edu