Table of Patent Profession in Europe - European Patent Institute
Table of Patent Profession in Europe - European Patent Institute
Table of Patent Profession in Europe - European Patent Institute
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Country Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Representation<br />
AL <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Albanian<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Office;<br />
http://www.alpto.gov.<br />
al/rubrika.asp?id=78<br />
&idv=15<br />
AT <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Austrian<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys;<br />
www.oepak.at<br />
BE <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO;<br />
http://economie.fgov.<br />
be<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Associations Basic Requirements Practice Required Exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Not applicable yet; effort<br />
are on-go<strong>in</strong>g to establish<br />
such association<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Österreichische<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>anwaltskammer<br />
L<strong>in</strong>ke Wienzeile 4/1/9<br />
1060 Wien<br />
Austria<br />
- Industry:<br />
RING der Industrie-<br />
<strong>Patent</strong><strong>in</strong>genieure<br />
Österreichs<br />
c/o Andritz AG<br />
Statteger Straße 18<br />
8045 Graz<br />
Austria<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Chambre des Conseils de<br />
la Propriété Intellectuelle<br />
- Industry:<br />
UBCEPI/BVORIE<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Albanian resident i<br />
- university studies<br />
- also, any legal <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
which employs on a<br />
regular contractual basis<br />
a person who meets the<br />
above conditions<br />
- Austrian or EEA<br />
nationality<br />
- Technical, mathematical<br />
or natural scientific<br />
Master or Ph.D. degree<br />
from an Austrian or EEA<br />
university<br />
- Equivalent academic<br />
degrees from non-EEA<br />
universities need to be<br />
accredited<br />
Scientific, technical or legal<br />
university degree or high<br />
school degree <strong>of</strong> more<br />
than 3 years<br />
Exercised an activity <strong>in</strong> the field<br />
<strong>of</strong> IP property for not less than<br />
5 years.<br />
- 5 years practice with registered<br />
Austrian patent attorney,<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation may be taken<br />
after 4 years<br />
- 7.5 years practice <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
equivalent to patent attorney<br />
work for tak<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- For registered civil eng<strong>in</strong>eer<br />
2 years practice for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- For technical exam<strong>in</strong>ers at the<br />
NPO 10 years practice for<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Technical exam<strong>in</strong>er<br />
permanently employed at the<br />
NPO for 20 years may enter<br />
the list without exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- 3 years <strong>of</strong> activity <strong>in</strong> the<br />
patent pr<strong>of</strong>ession as assistant<br />
to a qualified [Belgian] patent<br />
attorney, or as an authorised<br />
employee<br />
- <strong>of</strong> which 2 years maximum<br />
may be equivalent activity<br />
before the EPO, or activity <strong>in</strong><br />
EEA state<br />
- APO organizes a test for the<br />
qualification as authorized<br />
representative (subject to<br />
payment <strong>of</strong> the respective<br />
fee)<br />
- The pr<strong>of</strong>essional licence is to<br />
be renewed on a 5 year<br />
bases<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises a<br />
written and an oral part<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organised<br />
and prepared by the NPO<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is held by a<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t panel <strong>of</strong> members from<br />
the NPO and the Austrian<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
- Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is organised by the<br />
Austrian Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
- Passed EQE taken <strong>in</strong>to<br />
account <strong>in</strong> exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
two written parts and one<br />
oral part<br />
- The written parts comprise:<br />
1) draft<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> set <strong>of</strong> patent<br />
claims;<br />
2) advice to client,<br />
opposition, <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>in</strong>gement,<br />
etc.
BG Industrial Property<br />
Attorney on register<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by the<br />
NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Association <strong>of</strong> Industrial<br />
Property Representatives<br />
116 James Boucher Ave.<br />
1407 S<strong>of</strong>ia<br />
Bulgaria<br />
- Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
Representatives <strong>of</strong><br />
Intellectual and Industrial<br />
Property (CRIIP)<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Bulgarian citizenship,<br />
permanent residence<br />
<strong>in</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong><br />
Bulgaria<br />
It is made a draft Decree<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong><br />
Bulgaria amend<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
Ord<strong>in</strong>ance on Industrial<br />
Property Representatives<br />
(NPIS). The project was<br />
worked out to the<br />
necessity <strong>of</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
NPIS <strong>in</strong> accordance with<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Union law and<br />
<strong>in</strong> particular with Article<br />
49 <strong>of</strong> the Treaty on the<br />
Function<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Union and Art.<br />
14, paragraph 1 <strong>of</strong><br />
Directive 2006/123/EC <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Europe</strong>an Parliament<br />
and the Council <strong>of</strong> 21<br />
December 2006. For this<br />
proposed correspond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
amendments <strong>in</strong> one <strong>of</strong> its<br />
provisions - <strong>in</strong> art. 4,<br />
items 1 and 2, which<br />
regulates the legal<br />
requirements for<br />
acquir<strong>in</strong>g qualification <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial property<br />
2 years practice <strong>in</strong> the<br />
field <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial property<br />
protection<br />
- The oral part relates to<br />
national law, EPC, PCT and<br />
basics <strong>of</strong> US and JP law<br />
- Released from part 1 <strong>of</strong> the<br />
written exam<strong>in</strong>ation, if<br />
qualified <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorney<br />
- The same rules apply for<br />
private practice and <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
The NPO provides a two-part<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation with written and<br />
oral part
CH - S<strong>in</strong>ce 01.07.2011, a<br />
new law for a<br />
registered "Swiss<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorney"<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Verband der<br />
freiberuflichen<br />
Europäischen und<br />
Schweizer <strong>Patent</strong>anwälte<br />
representative, as follow:<br />
The Council <strong>of</strong> M<strong>in</strong>isters<br />
(the Government)<br />
Decreed as follows:<br />
§ 1. In art. 4 be made the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g amendments:<br />
In item 1 at the end a<br />
comma and add<br />
"citizenship <strong>of</strong> a State –<br />
Contract<strong>in</strong>g State <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Union, the<br />
country - party to the<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Economic Area<br />
or Swiss Confederation."<br />
2. In item 2 at the end a<br />
comma and add "<strong>in</strong> the<br />
State - Contract<strong>in</strong>g State<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union <strong>in</strong><br />
the country - party to the<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an Economic Area<br />
or Swiss Confederation."<br />
- A higher technical, natural<br />
science or law<br />
education diploma<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficially recognised<br />
<strong>in</strong> Bulgaria<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation before the<br />
NPO<br />
- State exam<strong>in</strong>ers and<br />
lawyers with at least 10<br />
years practice at the NPO<br />
and attorneys at law with<br />
at least 10 years practice<br />
shall acquire the status <strong>of</strong><br />
representatives by right<br />
- For patent attorneys or<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an patent<br />
attorneys counsel<strong>in</strong>g or<br />
represent<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong><br />
- 3 years <strong>of</strong> activity <strong>in</strong> the patent<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ession as assistant to a<br />
qualified registered patent<br />
attorney or a similar qualified<br />
- organised by national<br />
chamber <strong>of</strong> exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- written parts: passed EQE<br />
parts A + B, Swiss patent
came <strong>in</strong>to effect.<br />
- The register is kept<br />
by the Swiss <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Office (EIGE)<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
(VESPA)<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Association des conseils<br />
en brevets suisses et<br />
européens de pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
libérale (ACBSE);<br />
c/o Frei<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>anwaltsbüro,<br />
Postfach 1771,<br />
CH-8032 Zürich<br />
Switzerland<br />
www.frei-patent.ch<br />
- Verband<br />
Schweizerischer <strong>Patent</strong>-<br />
und Markenanwälte<br />
(VSP)<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Association Suisse des<br />
Conseils en Propriété<br />
Industrielle (ASCPI)<br />
Postfach 638<br />
3000 Bern 7<br />
Switzerland<br />
mail@vsp.ch<br />
- Verband der<br />
Industriepatentanwälte <strong>in</strong><br />
der Schweiz (VIPS)<br />
- Industry:<br />
Association des Conseils<br />
en Brevets dans<br />
l'Industrie Suisse<br />
(ACBIS);<br />
c/o Institut Straumann AG<br />
Peter Merian-Weg 12<br />
CH-4002 Basel<br />
Switzerland<br />
www.acbis.org<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
Switzerland<br />
- Technical or natural<br />
scientific degree such as<br />
bachelor, master or higher<br />
or equivalent<br />
- Equivalent academic<br />
degrees from non-CH<br />
universities need to be<br />
accredited<br />
non-registered person (special<br />
requirements) for persons<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g a master degree or<br />
higher, and<br />
- 6 years for persons with a<br />
bachelor degree;<br />
- practical work <strong>of</strong> at least one<br />
year needed with reference to<br />
Switzerland<br />
and procedural law<br />
- oral part: trademarks, design,<br />
copyright, competition and<br />
civil law<br />
- tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g organised by Swiss<br />
patent <strong>of</strong>fice and an<br />
organisation <strong>of</strong> the three<br />
patent attorney associations
CY - Only lawyers may<br />
practice<br />
- Registrar <strong>of</strong><br />
Companies and<br />
Official Receiver<br />
www.mcit.gov.cy/drc<br />
or<br />
the website <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cyprus Bar<br />
Association<br />
www.cyprusbarasso<br />
ciation.org<br />
CZ <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
DE - <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the <strong>Patent</strong>anwaltskammer;<br />
www.patentanwalt.d<br />
e<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney may<br />
represent on his own<br />
before the NPO, the<br />
Federal <strong>Patent</strong> Court<br />
(validity) and <strong>in</strong><br />
appeals (validity)<br />
before the Federal<br />
Supreme Court<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Presently no association<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys <strong>in</strong> Brno<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong>anwaltskammer<br />
(PAK)<br />
Tal 29<br />
80331 München<br />
Germany<br />
www.patentanwalt.de<br />
- VPP<br />
Uhlandstr. 1<br />
47239 Duisburg<br />
Germany<br />
www.vpppatent.de<br />
- Bundesverband der<br />
Deutschen <strong>Patent</strong>anwälte<br />
e.V.<br />
Geschäftsstelle<br />
Deichmannhaus am Dom<br />
Postfach 10 22 41<br />
50462 Köln<br />
- Czech or EEA nationality<br />
- University education<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Oath to the President<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
- Scientific or technical<br />
university degree<br />
- 12 months practical<br />
technical experience<br />
3 years practice <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- 10 years <strong>in</strong> patent department<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry (reduced to 8 years<br />
for qualified <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys) or<br />
- 3 years <strong>of</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g 26<br />
months under supervision <strong>of</strong><br />
patent attorney or patent<br />
agent <strong>in</strong> patent department<br />
and additionally 2 months at<br />
the NPO and 6 months at the<br />
Federal <strong>Patent</strong> Court (<strong>of</strong> the<br />
26 months, two months can be<br />
spent at a patent litigation<br />
chamber)<br />
- <strong>in</strong> both cases the candidate<br />
has to pass a basic legal<br />
education compris<strong>in</strong>g a 2 year<br />
distance learn<strong>in</strong>g course<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Two-part exam<strong>in</strong>ation with<br />
written and oral part<br />
provided by the NPO<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation board<br />
comprises two members<br />
nom<strong>in</strong>ated by the Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys and two<br />
members nom<strong>in</strong>ated by the<br />
NPO<br />
The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
two written parts and one<br />
oral part
DK No register <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
EE <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
ES Industrial Property<br />
Agent on register<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by the<br />
NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Germany<br />
www.bundesverbandpate<br />
ntanwaelte.de<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> Danish<br />
Intellectual Property<br />
Attorneys (ADIPA);<br />
www.adipa.dk<br />
- Industry:<br />
Dansk Foren<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
Industriens <strong>Patent</strong>- og<br />
Varemærkespecialister;<br />
www.dip<strong>in</strong>fo.dk<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Estonian Association <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
Kompanii 1C<br />
51004 Tartu,<br />
Estonia<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Colegio Oficial de Agentes<br />
de la Propriedad<br />
Industrial (COAPI)<br />
Calle de la Montera, 13<br />
28013 Madrid<br />
Spa<strong>in</strong><br />
- Asociación de Agentes<br />
Españoles Autorizados<br />
Scientific or technical<br />
university degree<br />
- Citizen <strong>of</strong> Estonia or EEA<br />
- Residence <strong>in</strong> Estonia<br />
- University education<br />
- Command <strong>of</strong> spoken and<br />
written Estonian<br />
- Command <strong>of</strong> two foreign<br />
languages <strong>in</strong> relation to<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional work; one<br />
language has to be one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficial languages<br />
<strong>of</strong> the EPO<br />
(Fernuniversität Hagen) and a<br />
f<strong>in</strong>al exam<br />
- Private practice:<br />
3 years practice for enter<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Association as full member, 1<br />
year practice to become an<br />
associate member<br />
- Industry:<br />
To become a member the<br />
person has to be employed <strong>in</strong><br />
a Danish <strong>in</strong>dustrial enterprise<br />
or <strong>in</strong>stitution related thereto<br />
(<strong>in</strong>dustry organizations) and<br />
has to deal with IPR (patents,<br />
trademarks, etc.) <strong>in</strong> their<br />
normal work.<br />
At least four years employment<br />
with registered patent attorney<br />
or patent attorney firm<br />
University degree No practice required for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Institutions engaged with<br />
education:<br />
1) DIFI;<br />
www.difi.dk<br />
2) CEIPI Denmark:<br />
www.ceipi.dk<br />
3) EPCtutors.dk<br />
www.epctutors.dk<br />
- Written exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
1) multiple choice questions<br />
on patents, utility models,<br />
claim draft<strong>in</strong>g, case<br />
analysis, appeal<br />
procedure and court<br />
cases, and<br />
2) trademarks, <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
designs, and<br />
geographical <strong>in</strong>dications<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organised<br />
and prepared by the NPO<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is held by<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t panel compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the NPO and<br />
the COAPI<br />
- No particular tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is
FI - <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO;<br />
www.prh.fi<br />
- F<strong>in</strong>nish Lawyer is<br />
also entitled for the<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
representation<br />
FR <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO; with<br />
notice <strong>of</strong><br />
specialization<br />
(eng<strong>in</strong>eer, lawyer)<br />
and field (patents,<br />
trademarks, designs)<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
ante Organizaciones<br />
Internacionales de<br />
Propriedad Industrial e<br />
Intelectual (AGESORPI)<br />
Paseo de Gracia, 65 bis<br />
08008 Barcelona<br />
Spa<strong>in</strong><br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Suomen<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>tiasiamiesyhdistys<br />
r.y.<br />
P.O. Box 595<br />
00101 Hels<strong>in</strong>ki<br />
F<strong>in</strong>land<br />
www.spay.fi<br />
- Industry:<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>ti-Ins<strong>in</strong>öörit r.y.;<br />
www.patentti-<strong>in</strong>s<strong>in</strong>oorit.fi<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Compagnie Nationale des<br />
Conseils en Propriété<br />
Industrielle (CNCPI)<br />
92 rue d'Amsterdam<br />
75009 Paris<br />
France<br />
www.cncpi.fr<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Association des Conseils<br />
en Propriété Industrielle<br />
(ACPI)<br />
92 rue d'Amsterdam<br />
75009 Paris<br />
France<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney:<br />
a) Scientific or technical<br />
university degree;<br />
exceptions possible<br />
b) Permanent residence<br />
<strong>in</strong> the EEA<br />
- F<strong>in</strong>nish Lawyer:<br />
law degree from<br />
University<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer diploma or at<br />
least University degree<br />
(Master) and CEIPI<br />
diploma (or equivalent) is<br />
required<br />
- For national register 2<br />
years patent experience<br />
<strong>in</strong> the private practice or<br />
5-6 years patent experience <strong>in</strong><br />
the <strong>in</strong>dustry and named as<br />
representative on 5<br />
applications dur<strong>in</strong>g 1 year<br />
- Courses <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property taken <strong>in</strong>to account<br />
- 6 years practice with<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorney for enter<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the private practice<br />
association as ord<strong>in</strong>ary<br />
member<br />
- No practice formally required<br />
3 years pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice<br />
should be done under the<br />
control <strong>of</strong> a registered patent<br />
attorney<br />
provided<br />
- Same rules apply for private<br />
practice and <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Two separate exam<strong>in</strong>ations;<br />
patents and trademarks/<br />
designs<br />
- The patent exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
comprises two written parts<br />
and one oral part<br />
- Hav<strong>in</strong>g passed the EQE it is<br />
necessary only to take the<br />
2nd written part and the oral<br />
part<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organised by<br />
the NPO<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is drafted<br />
and exam<strong>in</strong>ed by a jury
GB <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register adm<strong>in</strong>istered<br />
on behalf <strong>of</strong> the NPO<br />
by the IPREG;<br />
www.ipreg.org.uk/ab<br />
out_us.php<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Industry:<br />
Association de<br />
Spécialistes en Propriété<br />
Industrielle (ASPI)<br />
20 rue Vignon<br />
75009 Paris<br />
France<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- The Chartered <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys (CIPA)<br />
95 Chancery Lane<br />
London WC2A 1DT<br />
United K<strong>in</strong>gdom<br />
www.cipa.org.uk/pages/h<br />
ome<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
A degree from a UK<br />
University or Polytechnic<br />
degree or other<br />
qualification considered<br />
equivalent by the Jo<strong>in</strong>t<br />
Exam<strong>in</strong>ation Board (JEB)<br />
conduct<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ations<br />
- No previous practice is<br />
required for tak<strong>in</strong>g the<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- For entry onto the national<br />
register there is a requirement<br />
to have completed either at<br />
least two years full time<br />
practice under the supervision<br />
<strong>of</strong> a <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney, barrister<br />
or solicitor, or hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
completed four years full time<br />
practice <strong>in</strong> the field <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>tellectual property <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
patent agency work <strong>in</strong> the UK<br />
chaired by a magistrate and<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g a lawyer, a<br />
university pr<strong>of</strong>essor and<br />
other persons qualified <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial property<br />
- ASPI and CNCPI organise<br />
tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g sessions<br />
- A person hav<strong>in</strong>g the CEIPI<br />
diploma, 8 years <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice and<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g passed an oral<br />
control on deontology could<br />
be registered without<br />
pass<strong>in</strong>g the exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises a<br />
six part foundation<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation and a four part<br />
f<strong>in</strong>al exam<strong>in</strong>ation. Exemption<br />
from some or all <strong>of</strong> the<br />
foundation papers may be<br />
obta<strong>in</strong>ed by attendance on<br />
designated University<br />
courses (e.g. the QMW<br />
certificate <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>tellectual<br />
property gives exemption<br />
from all foundation<br />
papers).<br />
- A pass <strong>in</strong> Paper A <strong>of</strong> the EQE<br />
gives exemption from one <strong>of</strong><br />
the advanced level papers<br />
and a pass <strong>in</strong> Paper B <strong>of</strong> the<br />
EQE gives exemption <strong>in</strong><br />
another <strong>of</strong> the advanced<br />
level papers. The two<br />
advanced level papers that<br />
cannot get such exemption<br />
relate to the <strong>in</strong>terpretation /<br />
validity <strong>of</strong> patents, and to<br />
general patent attorneys’<br />
practice.
GR Only lawyers may<br />
practice<br />
HR <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
HU <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Hungarian<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Presently no association<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
Hrvatska komora patentnih<br />
zastupnika i zastupnika za<br />
žigove [Croatian Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> and Trademark<br />
Attorneys]<br />
Ulica grada Vukovara 78<br />
10000 Zagreb<br />
Croatia<br />
- Hungarian Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
Kálmán Imre u. 14,<br />
1054 Budapest,<br />
Hungary<br />
www.szabadalmikamara.<br />
hu<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- HR resident and<br />
- M<strong>in</strong>imum university<br />
degree (Master) from<br />
natural or technical<br />
science, or Attorney-at-<br />
Law + exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
passed before the NPO<br />
or<br />
- Equivalent academic<br />
degree + exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
passed before the NPO +<br />
5 year <strong>of</strong> IP practice<br />
- Hungarian or EEA<br />
nationality or an<br />
immigrant or a settled<br />
person<br />
- Hav<strong>in</strong>g a clean record<br />
- Technical degree with at<br />
least five years study<br />
from accepted university,<br />
or correspond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
degree from a natural<br />
scientific university<br />
Only if academic degree is<br />
different form technical or<br />
natural science; with m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />
duration <strong>of</strong> 5 year practice <strong>in</strong><br />
IP field; except <strong>in</strong> case <strong>of</strong><br />
already chartered Attorney-at –<br />
Law<br />
- At least 3 years practice as a<br />
patent attorney candidate<br />
- Graduation from a two years<br />
tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g course organised by<br />
the NPO<br />
- The national Exam<strong>in</strong>ation is<br />
organised and marked by<br />
the JEB which comprises<br />
members from CIPA and the<br />
<strong>Institute</strong> <strong>of</strong> Trade Mark<br />
Attorneys (ITMA). The<br />
standard <strong>of</strong> the exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
is under the formal control<br />
<strong>of</strong> the NPO.<br />
- CIPA students arrange their<br />
own tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g and tutorials<br />
with the support <strong>of</strong> CIPA<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises a<br />
written and an oral part<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organised<br />
and prepared by the NPO<br />
- National exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
comprises:<br />
1) two written parts: one <strong>of</strong><br />
the topics should be <strong>in</strong><br />
the national patent field,<br />
the other <strong>in</strong> other<br />
domestic IP territory, and<br />
2) one oral part; national IP<br />
law; national IP related<br />
procedural law, IP<br />
related Civil Code and IP
IE <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
IS <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Icelandic<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Office<br />
IT <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Ord<strong>in</strong>e dei<br />
Consulenti <strong>in</strong><br />
Proprietà Industriale<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> &<br />
Trade Mark Agents<br />
c/o F.R. Kelly & Co<br />
27 Clyde Road<br />
Dubl<strong>in</strong> 4<br />
Ireland<br />
www.aptma.ie<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
Private practice and<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry:<br />
Private practice:<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> and<br />
Trademark Attorneys<br />
FUVE<br />
www.fuve.is<br />
Industry:<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Practitioners FEIS<br />
www.feis.is<br />
- Private practice and<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry:<br />
Ord<strong>in</strong>e dei Consulenti <strong>in</strong><br />
Proprietà Industriale<br />
Via G. Donizetti 1/A<br />
20122 Milan<br />
Italy<br />
www.ord<strong>in</strong>e-brevetti.it<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Collegio Italiano dei<br />
Consulenti <strong>in</strong> Proprietà<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong> attorney<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Oath before the President<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Hungarian<br />
Chamber <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
- University degree <strong>in</strong><br />
science or eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
exceptions possible<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation required for<br />
entry on the national<br />
register<br />
Private practice:<br />
Icelandic nationality,<br />
Scientific or technical<br />
university degree or law<br />
degree<br />
- University degree<br />
obta<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> Italy or<br />
abroad and recognised<br />
<strong>in</strong> Italy<br />
- Degree issued by a<br />
university or high school<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitute <strong>of</strong> EEA state with<br />
at least three years<br />
education <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property, after high<br />
school<br />
No time limit imposed for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Private practice:<br />
employment for 5 years<br />
- 2 years tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g with company,<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices or services specialised<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial property or<br />
- 18 months + 6 months <strong>in</strong><br />
specific <strong>in</strong>dustrial property /<br />
patent courses<br />
- Italian citizens with<br />
employment for 5 years as an<br />
EPO exam<strong>in</strong>er allowed for<br />
direct enrolment for the<br />
related crim<strong>in</strong>al law;<br />
EPC, PCT, US law,<br />
International and<br />
Community trademark<br />
law, copyright and unfair<br />
competition law, TRIPs<br />
and other <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
treaties<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
two parts, CIPA (GB) and<br />
Irish legal part<br />
- M<strong>in</strong>isterial waiver required for<br />
compensat<strong>in</strong>g CIPA parts<br />
with papers <strong>of</strong> the EQE<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
two written parts:<br />
1) patent draft<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and<br />
2) patent law and<br />
3) one oral part on<br />
a) public and private<br />
law and civil<br />
procedure
LI <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the government<br />
agency FMA<br />
(F<strong>in</strong>anzmarktaufsicht)<br />
LT <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Industriale<br />
c/o Via S. Agnese, 12<br />
20123 Milan<br />
Italy<br />
- Industry:<br />
A.I.C.I.P.I., Associazione<br />
Italiana dei Consulenti ed<br />
Esperti <strong>in</strong> Proprietà<br />
Industriale di Enti o<br />
Imprese;<br />
www.aicipi.it<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Liechtenste<strong>in</strong>ischer<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>anwaltsverband<br />
(LIPAV)<br />
Kappelestrasse 15<br />
9492 Eschen<br />
Liechtenste<strong>in</strong><br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys <strong>in</strong> Lithuania<br />
Kaštony g. 5-7<br />
01107 Vilnius<br />
Lithuania<br />
www.is.lt/kuc<br />
- No compulsory<br />
membership for<br />
practitioners (patent<strong>in</strong>is<br />
patikėt<strong>in</strong>is)<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- National <strong>of</strong> the EEA or<br />
recognized by<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational treaty<br />
- National exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Educational background <strong>in</strong><br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g or natural<br />
sciences<br />
- Lithuanian nationality or<br />
EU nationality<br />
- University degree <strong>in</strong><br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, natural<br />
sciences, law or<br />
mathematics<br />
- Pass<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
organised by the national<br />
patent <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation not required for<br />
chief exam<strong>in</strong>ers at the NPO<br />
Practice requirements given by<br />
EQE<br />
5 years experience <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>tellectual property (patent<br />
attorney firm, NPO, <strong>in</strong>dustry IP<br />
department)<br />
b) patent law<br />
c) EU and <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
law <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property,<br />
d) comparative law <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial property<br />
e) English, French or<br />
German as foreign<br />
language and<br />
f) technical knowledge <strong>in</strong><br />
chemistry, electricity<br />
or mechanics<br />
- Hav<strong>in</strong>g passed the EQE<br />
allows for tak<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
without practice<br />
- National exam<strong>in</strong>ation;<br />
admittance to oral<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation only upon<br />
success <strong>in</strong> preced<strong>in</strong>g written<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation (8 hours:<br />
patent, trademark, design,<br />
copyright and competition<br />
law)<br />
- EQE prerequisite for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
national exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
3 parts:<br />
1) theoretical part on national<br />
and <strong>in</strong>ternational IP laws<br />
2) theoretical part on Civil<br />
Code and Civil<br />
Proceed<strong>in</strong>g Code <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Lithuania<br />
3) practical part on patent<br />
claim draft<strong>in</strong>g, respond<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to communications,<br />
oppositions, etc.
LU LU patent attorneys on<br />
Register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by “M<strong>in</strong>istère de<br />
l’Economie”<br />
LV <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO;<br />
www.lrpv.lv<br />
MC <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
http://service-publicentreprises.gouv.mc/Propriete<strong>in</strong>tellectuelle/Pr<strong>in</strong>cipauxmandataires/Listedes-pr<strong>in</strong>cipauxmandataires/Listedes-pr<strong>in</strong>cipauxmandataires-aupresde-la-Propriete-<br />
Intellectuelle<br />
(MC and selected<br />
FR patent attorneys<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g their place <strong>of</strong><br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess close MC)<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Fédération des Conseils<br />
en Propriété Industrielle<br />
au Luxembourg<br />
c/o Office Freyl<strong>in</strong>ger<br />
234 rte d’Arlon<br />
8010 Strassen<br />
Luxembourg<br />
Tel. : +352 49 98 41 272<br />
Association <strong>of</strong> Latvian<br />
patent attorney -<br />
Latvijas <strong>Patent</strong>pilnvaroto<br />
Asociācija (LPPA)<br />
Ausekla 2-2<br />
1010 Riga<br />
Latvia<br />
www.lppa.lv<br />
Tel: +371-67820107<br />
Email: <strong>in</strong>fo@lppa.lv<br />
- University degree<br />
- Three years tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g with<br />
registered LU or EU<br />
patent attorney;<br />
and<br />
- Supplementary national<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Latvian nationality or EU<br />
nationality<br />
- academic or vocational<br />
higher education <strong>of</strong> the<br />
second level (the<br />
diplomas issued <strong>in</strong> the<br />
relevant specialties by<br />
foreign higher educational<br />
<strong>in</strong>stitutions have to be<br />
recognized <strong>in</strong> Latvia);<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation organized by<br />
the national patent <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession - No requirements for<br />
Monegasque citizens<br />
- Requirements for Non-<br />
Monegasque citizens <strong>in</strong><br />
the discretion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Economic<br />
Expansion (m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />
requirement de facto<br />
French <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney<br />
Exam or French<br />
Trademark Attorney Exam<br />
or EQE)<br />
See column to the left Practical aspects <strong>of</strong> the<br />
supplementary national<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation and a national<br />
competence test to be<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ed by implement<strong>in</strong>g<br />
regulation<br />
Candidate who is not a lawyer<br />
shall have a m<strong>in</strong>imum <strong>of</strong> 3<br />
years <strong>of</strong> practice <strong>in</strong> the patent<br />
field.<br />
MC is not a member <strong>of</strong> the EEA,<br />
therefore no free movement <strong>of</strong><br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong><br />
Economic Expansion limits<br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> authorisations<br />
granted to foreign <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys to the actual<br />
demand <strong>in</strong> MC.<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation has one written<br />
part and one oral part,<br />
choice between all or one <strong>of</strong><br />
the fields: patents,<br />
trademarks, <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
designs<br />
- Latvian IP legislation,<br />
International conventions<br />
and treaties, practical tasks<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation
MK <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the State<br />
Industrial Property<br />
Office<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Zdruzenie na zastapnici za<br />
<strong>in</strong>telektualna sopstvenost<br />
na Republika Makedonija<br />
(Associations <strong>of</strong><br />
Intellectual Property<br />
Representatives <strong>of</strong><br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia –<br />
Skopje<br />
St. “Orce Nikolov” b.b.<br />
1000 Skopje<br />
Macedonia<br />
1) Natural person who:<br />
- is a citizen <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia;<br />
- has registered to<br />
perform representation<br />
<strong>in</strong> the field <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property;<br />
- has graduated at Law<br />
School, one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
technical faculties and<br />
Faculty <strong>of</strong> Pharmacy;<br />
- has passed the<br />
specialised exam <strong>in</strong><br />
accordance with the<br />
provision <strong>of</strong> this Law;<br />
and<br />
- has knowledge <strong>of</strong> at<br />
least one <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
languages <strong>of</strong> the<br />
organisations <strong>in</strong> this<br />
area <strong>in</strong>here Republic <strong>of</strong><br />
Macedonia is a member<br />
state;<br />
2) a lawyer registered <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Bar Association <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia<br />
who fulfils the conditions<br />
<strong>of</strong> item 1 and lawyers’<br />
association or lawyers’<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice registered <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Bar Association <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Republic <strong>of</strong> Macedonia<br />
that has employed an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual who fulfils the<br />
conditions <strong>of</strong> item 1<br />
3) Legal person:<br />
- that has a registered<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice <strong>in</strong> the Republic<br />
<strong>of</strong> Macedonia;<br />
- that is registered for<br />
representation <strong>in</strong> the<br />
No practice requirements - The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises a<br />
written and an oral part<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organised<br />
and prepared by the State<br />
Industrial Property Office<br />
(SIPO)<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is held by a<br />
Commission <strong>of</strong> members<br />
from the SIPO and scientific<br />
and expert community<br />
- Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is organised by the<br />
SIPO and by Association <strong>of</strong><br />
Intellectual Property<br />
Representatives
MT <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Comptroller <strong>of</strong><br />
Industrial Property <strong>of</strong><br />
Malta<br />
NL <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
area <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
property protection;<br />
- has employed at least<br />
one <strong>in</strong>dividual who<br />
fulfils the conditions <strong>of</strong><br />
item 1.<br />
None Noth<strong>in</strong>g laid down by law Noth<strong>in</strong>g laid down by law No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Orde van<br />
Octrooigemachtigden<br />
P.O. Box 3219<br />
2280 GE Rijswijk<br />
The Netherlands<br />
www.octrooigemachtigde.<br />
nl<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- University degree <strong>in</strong><br />
science, technology,<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g or agriculture<br />
for tak<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Anybody hav<strong>in</strong>g passed<br />
the national<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation and<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g three years<br />
practice may enter the<br />
national register<br />
- 3 years practice at <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> NL<br />
patent attorney<br />
- Exemption for EEA patent<br />
attorneys or qualified<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
(provided they pass an<br />
aptitude test)<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is <strong>in</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and comprises 6 modules:<br />
1) general law (3.5 hours)<br />
2) patent law (3hours)<br />
3) other IP-law, <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
law, competition law<br />
(3 hours)<br />
4) writ<strong>in</strong>g an advice<br />
regard<strong>in</strong>g a patentrelated<br />
problem<br />
(8 hours)<br />
5) writ<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a patent<br />
application and<br />
6) defend<strong>in</strong>g the same<br />
(4 hours each)<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is exam<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by an exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
committee appo<strong>in</strong>ted by the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Economic Affairs<br />
and compris<strong>in</strong>g<br />
representatives from the<br />
NPO, the patent pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
and the legal pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g is provided <strong>in</strong> the<br />
form <strong>of</strong> a two years course<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation modules form a
NO No register <strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorneys<br />
PL - IP Attorney on<br />
register<br />
adm<strong>in</strong>istrated by<br />
NPO<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession for<br />
patent and<br />
trademark attorneys<br />
PT IP Attorney on register<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed by the<br />
NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Private Practice:<br />
Norske <strong>Patent</strong><strong>in</strong>geniørers<br />
Foren<strong>in</strong>g (NPF) – a FICPI<br />
associated union<br />
Industry:<br />
Norsk Foren<strong>in</strong>g for<br />
Industriens<br />
<strong>Patent</strong><strong>in</strong>geniører (NIP) – a<br />
FEMIPI associated union<br />
- Polska Izba Rzeczników<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>owych (PIRP)<br />
(Polish Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys)<br />
ul. Madalińskiego 20/ 2<br />
02-513 Warszawa<br />
Poland<br />
www.rzecznikpatentowy.<br />
org.pl<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Associação Portuguesa<br />
dos Mandatários<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>us de <strong>Patent</strong>es<br />
(AMEP)<br />
Rua Vitor Córdon,14<br />
1249-103 Lisboa<br />
Portugal<br />
- Associação dos<br />
- University degree from<br />
faculty useful for<br />
practic<strong>in</strong>g the pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
(e.g. technical, legal)<br />
- Citizenship <strong>of</strong> EU or EFTA<br />
- Knowledge <strong>of</strong> Polish<br />
language<br />
- PT or EEA citizens hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />
passed the national<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- University degree or high<br />
school degree <strong>of</strong>, at least,<br />
3 years<br />
- Office located <strong>in</strong> PT or <strong>in</strong><br />
the territory <strong>of</strong> a EEA<br />
Private Practice:<br />
At least:<br />
- 7 years practice <strong>in</strong> total<br />
- 5 years IPR practice<br />
- 3 years <strong>in</strong> private practice<br />
Industry:<br />
- Persons employed by<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry or <strong>in</strong>stitutions<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g IPR as a ma<strong>in</strong><br />
activity <strong>in</strong> their work<br />
- 3 years tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g organized by<br />
PIRP<br />
- 3 years practice under<br />
supervision <strong>of</strong> experienced<br />
patent attorney<br />
No practice required for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the course, but are<br />
also open to persons not<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g the course<br />
- Modules 5 and 6 may be<br />
compensated by Paper A<br />
and B <strong>of</strong> the EQE<br />
respectively<br />
No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Qualify<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
organized by PIRP under<br />
supervision <strong>of</strong> NPO,<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
- 2 written parts:<br />
a) Prepar<strong>in</strong>g specification <strong>of</strong><br />
patent application;<br />
b) Solv<strong>in</strong>g legal issue or<br />
prepar<strong>in</strong>g legal<br />
documents<br />
- Oral part (10 questions);<br />
Oath before the NPO<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
one written part and one oral<br />
part<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is<br />
organised, drafted and<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ed by the NPO
RO <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by NPO and also<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Romanian Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> IP Attorneys<br />
RS Attorney at Law or<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
Consultores em<br />
Propriedade Industrial<br />
(ACPI)<br />
Rua do Salitre, 195<br />
1269–063 Lisboa<br />
Portugal<br />
www.acpi.org.pt<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Camera Nationala a<br />
Consilierilor <strong>in</strong> Proprietate<br />
Industriala d<strong>in</strong> Romania<br />
(Romanian Chamber <strong>of</strong> IP<br />
Attorneys)<br />
Str.Matei Voievod, nr.103-<br />
113, bloc O3, sc.C, parter,<br />
ap.92<br />
sector 2 - Bucharest<br />
Romania<br />
www.patent-chamber.ro<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
Member State<br />
- RO, EU or EEA nationality<br />
- Bus<strong>in</strong>ess place <strong>in</strong> RO, EU<br />
or EEA<br />
- Technical, scientific or law<br />
university degree<br />
No associations - Natural person, RS<br />
resident;<br />
- Command <strong>of</strong> one<br />
language <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
communication<br />
- Faculty <strong>of</strong> Law graduates<br />
+ exam<strong>in</strong>ation before<br />
NPO<br />
- 3 years experience <strong>in</strong> the<br />
basic pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- 3 years tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the IP field<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong> exam<strong>in</strong>er permanently<br />
employed at NPO for at least<br />
5 years may be granted patent<br />
attorney title without further<br />
practice or exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation organised by the<br />
NPO<br />
- Exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises<br />
3 written parts:<br />
1) One theoretical part on<br />
national patent law, PCT,<br />
EPC and other<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational patent<br />
treaties, and<br />
2) Two practical parts<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
a) Draft<strong>in</strong>g a specification<br />
and claims <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
fil<strong>in</strong>g a patent<br />
application<br />
b) Reply<strong>in</strong>g to an <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
action or draft<strong>in</strong>g an<br />
opposition paper or<br />
appeal or reply<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
an opposition paper<br />
2 years practice <strong>in</strong> IP - The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises 2<br />
parts: written and oral part<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation is organized<br />
and prepared by the NPO
SE No mandatory<br />
authorization.<br />
Voluntary authorization<br />
gives privileged<br />
status under the<br />
Swedish act on<br />
authorisation <strong>of</strong><br />
patent attorneys<br />
(SFS 2010:1052),<br />
and Chapter 36,<br />
Section 5 <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Swedish Code <strong>of</strong><br />
Judicial Procedure.<br />
A register <strong>of</strong><br />
authorised patent<br />
attorneys is kept by<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>ombuds-<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Private practice:<br />
Svenska<br />
<strong>Patent</strong>ombudsfören<strong>in</strong>gen<br />
c/o Fenix Legal KB<br />
Stureplan 4C<br />
114 35 Stockholm<br />
Sweden<br />
www.sp<strong>of</strong>.se<br />
- Industry:<br />
Svenska Industr<strong>in</strong>s IP<br />
Fören<strong>in</strong>g<br />
c/o C<strong>in</strong>nober F<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
Technology AB<br />
Kungsgatan 32<br />
111 35 Stockholm<br />
Sweden<br />
www.sipf.se<br />
- University degree <strong>in</strong><br />
Technologies, or Science<br />
and Mathematics or<br />
Pharmacy + exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
before NPO<br />
- University degree <strong>in</strong><br />
Technologies, or Science<br />
and Mathematics or<br />
Pharmacy + at least five<br />
years <strong>of</strong> work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
experience with the NPO<br />
- Legal persons hav<strong>in</strong>g seat<br />
<strong>in</strong> RS and employ<strong>in</strong>g at<br />
least one Law faculty<br />
graduate and one<br />
Technology or Sciences<br />
and Mathematics or<br />
Pharmacy graduate who<br />
fulfill conditions to<br />
represent clients on a<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional basis i.e.<br />
who passed <strong>Patent</strong><br />
Attorney exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Person liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Sweden<br />
with a technical or legal<br />
degree from a university<br />
with at least 4 years<br />
studies<br />
5 years practice <strong>in</strong> Sweden<br />
relat<strong>in</strong>g to patent matters<br />
National exam<strong>in</strong>ation planned<br />
to be held yearly.<br />
Technical and legal matters<br />
will be tested. Pass<strong>in</strong>g EQE<br />
can replace the technical<br />
parts, but legal matters<br />
relat<strong>in</strong>g to Swedish national<br />
law and code <strong>of</strong> conduct<br />
need to be tested.
nämnden at<br />
Bolagsverket<br />
www.bolagsverket.se<br />
/patentombud<br />
SI <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO;<br />
http://www.uil-sipo.si<br />
SK <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
SM <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO;<br />
www.usbm.sm<br />
TR <strong>Patent</strong> Attorney on<br />
register ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
by the NPO<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Non-unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Association <strong>of</strong> Slovenian<br />
<strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys (ASPA)<br />
c/o ITEM d.o.o.<br />
Resljeva cesta 16<br />
1000 Ljubljana<br />
Slovenia<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- Slovak Chamber<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Patent</strong> Attorneys<br />
Ružová dol<strong>in</strong>a 6<br />
821 08 Bratislava<br />
Slovakia<br />
www.patentattorneys.sk<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- No association<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
- <strong>Patent</strong> ve Marka Vekilleri<br />
Derneği (PEM)<br />
www.pem.org.tr<br />
(Association, not national)<br />
Natural person with<br />
university diploma <strong>in</strong> the<br />
technical field or natural<br />
science and who passed<br />
the exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Tertiary education<br />
- Pr<strong>of</strong>essional exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- Oath to President<br />
- Enrolment on register <strong>of</strong><br />
Italian or <strong>Europe</strong>an patent<br />
Attorneys<br />
- SM citizen or IT/EU citizen<br />
hav<strong>in</strong>g elected bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
place <strong>in</strong> SM<br />
- Turkish citizenship with<br />
place <strong>of</strong> residence <strong>in</strong><br />
Turkey<br />
- University degree <strong>of</strong> 4<br />
No practice required - National exam<strong>in</strong>ation for<br />
patent attorneys is organized<br />
by the NPO and consists <strong>of</strong><br />
a written part which usually<br />
takes appr. 8 hours and an<br />
oral part which takes appr. 3<br />
hours<br />
3 years practice by patent<br />
attorneys or 4-years practice<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial property<br />
department <strong>of</strong> companies<br />
required for tak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
- The exam<strong>in</strong>ation covers<br />
Slovenian national legislation<br />
and <strong>in</strong>ternational treaties<br />
valid <strong>in</strong> Slovenia concern<strong>in</strong>g<br />
patents, trademarks,<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial designs and<br />
geographical <strong>in</strong>dications<br />
- The EQE has no formal<br />
<strong>in</strong>fluence on this exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
given by the NPO comprises<br />
written and oral parts<br />
No practice required No exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
No practice required for<br />
tak<strong>in</strong>g exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
The exam<strong>in</strong>ation comprises a<br />
s<strong>in</strong>gle written part<br />
compris<strong>in</strong>g questions related<br />
to national patent law and<br />
regulations, <strong>in</strong>ternational
- EQE (<strong>Europe</strong>an Qualify<strong>in</strong>g Exam<strong>in</strong>ation)<br />
- EEA (<strong>Europe</strong>an Economic Area)<br />
- NPO (National <strong>Patent</strong> Office)<br />
The <strong>Patent</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>in</strong> the EPC Contract<strong>in</strong>g States<br />
(disregard<strong>in</strong>g EEA free movement <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and company law)<br />
- Unitary pr<strong>of</strong>ession years treaties, agreements. Also<br />
there are questions related<br />
to general knowledge <strong>in</strong><br />
commercial code,<br />
economics, mathematics,<br />
law <strong>in</strong> general, political<br />
history, and Turkish<br />
language.<br />
i As an exception, persons with a permanent residence <strong>in</strong> the Republic <strong>of</strong> Albania or who conduct activity with<strong>in</strong> its territory may be represented before the APO directly or<br />
through other representatives who are not registered by APO but managed or are employed by this person and have an authorization <strong>of</strong> representation<br />
3 April 2012