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, the CEIPI (Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies) and the epi (Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office) have together devised a basic training programme in European patent law designed primarily for prospective professional representatives before the EPO.

2. The basic training courses in European patent law are jointly prepared by the epi and the CEIPI and organised by the CEIPI. They take usually two years starting either in the autumn or at the beginning of the year (see par. 10).

3. Altogether 40 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: Barcelona, Madrid

FI: Helsinki

FR: Lyon, Paris (one-year course)

GB: London, Manchester

HU: Budapest

IE: Dublin

IT: Milan, Rome

LV: Riga (one-year course)

NL: Eindhoven, The Hague

NO: Oslo

PL: Warsaw, Cracow (one-year course)

PT: Lisbon

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 usually 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 through 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.

Several courses offer complementary activities such as a visit to the Federal Court in Karlsruhe, participation in oral proceedings at the European Patent Office, mock trials, etc.

7. Tutors' meetings take place over two days every year at the University of Strasbourg 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, Manchester, Basel, Zurich, Berlin, Ludwigshafen, Stuttgart, Vienna, Lyon, Lisbon, Bucharest, and Riga start at the beginning of the year, between January and April. For further information please contact the CEIPI office.

For 2015/16, the fee is EUR 1 500 per year of studies (EUR 3 000 for the one-year intensive courses in Paris, Riga and Cracow).

11. To enable the next round of courses to be organised in good time, those interested are asked to contact the CEIPI as soon as possible and in any event not later than 20 July 2015 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'Études 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