The Patent Profession in the EPC Contracting states
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Albanian Patent Office; http://www.dppi.gov.al |
| Associations | Not applicable yet |
| Basic Requirements | 1. at least "Master of Science" completed in the field of engineering or pharmaceuticals or natural sciences and be qualified in trainings or specialized courses in the field of industrial property, or ;MSc in another field, and having not less than five years' work experience in this field and be qualified in trainings or specialized courses in the field of industrial property. 2. should have passed the testing for the qualification of authorized representatives for Patents of Inventions and Utility Models. - Also, every former employee of the Albanian patent office, graduated, who has no less than three years' work experience in issues of industrial property in the patent office. |
| Practice Required | Albanian patent officed recognizes as an expert for Patents and Utility Models every individual, if he/she has a permanent residence in the Republic of Albania, has completed MSc in the field where the expertise is required, has no less than five years' work experience as patent attorney, or has been qualified in IP trainings / specialized courses and has also passed the test for the qualification as patent experts. In the meantime, every former employee of the Albanian patent office graduated in the field where expertise is required, who has no less than four years' IP work experience, and every former member of the Board of Appeal of this office, with not less than two years of work at this Board. |
| Examination | - APO organizes a test for the qualification as authorized representative as well as for the qualification as patent experts (subject to payment of the respective fee) - the professional license is to be renewed on an annual bases |
| Continued Professional Education | The Evaluation Commission is a structure created within the APO for licensing patent attorney as well as patent experts Also, recently, the APO has established the IP Academy, which is part of the structure and organization of the APO, organizes activities, courses, trainings and seminars in the IP field. |
| Reporting CPE | If the patent attorney or patent expert does not exercise commercial activity for a five-year period, the license will not be renewed, and he/she should once again be tested for obtaining again the license. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Austrian Chamber of Patent Attorneys; https://www.oepak.at |
| Associations | - Private practice: Österreichische Patentanwaltskammer Linke Wienzeile 4/1/9; 1060 Wien https://www.oepak.at/ - Industry: RING der Industrie- Patentingenieure Österreichs c/o Andritz AG Statteger Straße 18; 8045 Graz - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | (1) Entry in the list of patent attorneys is subject to proof of compliance with the following requirements: a) Austrian citizenship; b) legal capacity to act; c) permanent office in a contracting state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation; d) Completion of studies with the acquisition of a diploma, master's or doctoral degree in accordance with § 87 paragraph 1 of the University Act 2002, Federal Law Gazette I No. 120, or equivalent studies at a university in the European Economic Area or in the Swiss Confederation, in a field of Technology or the natural sciences, or nostrification of corresponding foreign academic degrees with a study scope of at least 270 ECTS credits , of which at least 210 ECTS credits are to be allocated to technical or scientific subjects; e) professional practice; f) successful passing of the Austrian patent attorney examination at the earliest one year before completing the practice; g) liability insurance; h) Studies of Austrian law to the extent of 60 EC on private law, administrative and constitutional law, European law, civil procedure and corporate law. (2) Citizenship of a state party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or of the Swiss Confederation is equivalent to Austrian citizenship. |
| Practice Required | - 4 years practice with registered Austrian patent attorney, examination may be taken after 3 years - 6.5 years practice in industry equivalent to patent attorney work for taking examination - For technical examiners at the NPO 9 years practice for taking examination - Technical examiner permanently employed at the NPO for 20 years may enter the list without examination |
| Examination | Austrian Patent Attorney Exam: - The examination comprises a written and an oral part - The examination is held by a joint panel of members from the APO and the Austrian Chamber of Patent Attorneys - Training is organised by the Austrian Chamber of Patent Attorneys - Passed EQE and/or completed Studies of Austrian law have to be taken into account in the exam |
| Continued Professional Education | While there is no explicit obligation for CPE, Austrian Patent Attorneys can be held liable if they do not have the knowledge and skills to represent and advise parties. This, of course, implies that Patent Attorneys have to keep up with any relevant legal developments. |
| Reporting CPE | N.A. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; https://bpp.economie.fgov.be/bpp-portal/Register/patent/attorneys |
| Associations | - Private practice: Chambre des Conseils de la Propriété Intellectuelle - Industry: UBCEPI/BVORIE - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Scientific, technical or legal university degree or high school degree of more than 3 years |
| Practice Required | - 3 years of activity in the patent profession as assistant to a qualified [Belgian] patent attorney, or as an authorised employee - of which 2 years maximum may be equivalent activity before the EPO, or activity in EEA state |
| Examination | - The examination comprises two written parts and one oral part 1. The written parts comprise: 1.1. drafting of set of patent claims; 1.2. advice to client, opposition, infringement, etc. 2. The oral part relates to national law, EPC, PCT and basics of US and JP law - Released from part 1 of the written examination, if qualified European Patent Attorney - The same rules apply for private practice and industry |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE is mandatory for Belgian Patent Attorneys (members of the Institute for Patent Attorneys). A minimum of 16 points needs to obtained per year. Points can be obtained for the following activities: 1 point for one hour of training (max 6 per day). 2 point for one hour of training given, 2 points for attending the general assembly, writing of an article: 1 point per 500 words |
| Reporting CPE | The members needs to keep records of his/her CPE activities and needs to keep records for the past 5 years. Sample checks may be performed |
| Professional Representation | An industrial property representative, hereinafter referred to as "representative", shall be a natural person, who meets the requirements of the law, has acquired or his professional qualification has been recognized as a representative and is entered in the Register of Industrial Property Representatives. Attorneys at Law (Lawyers) enrolled in the Bar Association are also eligible for representing third parties in IP matters. (LAW ON PATENTS AND REGISTRATION OF UTILITY MODELS, amended by SG No. 102 of December 8, 2023) A representative is also a person, entitled to practice the profession in another Member State of the European Union, in a state - party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or in the Swiss Confederation, as well as a person, entered in the Register of Representatives of the European Patent Office, and who provides one-time or temporary services of a representative on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The profession of representative may be exercised independently, or jointly with other representatives in accordance with the LAW ON PATENTS AND REGISTRATION OF UTILITY MODELS, amended by SG No. 102 of December 8, 2023. |
| Associations | - Non-unitary profession - link to the register of representatives: https://portal.bpo.bg/representative_aap - Chamber of Industrial Property representatives - not available yet - Representatives and companies of industrial property representatives may unite their activities through a partnership agreement under the Obligations and Contracts Act, insofar as the provisions of this Act do not provide otherwise. The contract also specifies the boundaries of the association. The association of industrial property representatives shall be entered in the Register of Companies and Associations of Industrial Property Representatives. The contract shall be concluded in writing and the partnership is entered in the Register of Companies and Industrial Property Associations at the request of the person, representing it under the contract. The contract must specify the general address of the participants in the partnership, which also serves as an address for correspondence with the partnership - https://portal.bpo.bg/partnership_aap - Attorneys at Law - BULGARIAN BAR REGISTERS - https://bar-register.bg/bar-associations |
| Basic Requirements | The right to exercise the profession of representative shall have any natural person, who: 1. is a Bulgarian citizen or a citizen of another Member State of the European Union, of a state - party to the European Economic Area Agreement, or of the Swiss Confederation; 2. holds a diploma for completed higher education with a master's degree, issued by an accredited Bulgarian higher school, or a diploma for completed higher education with a master's degree, recognized in accordance with Bulgarian legislation, acquired in a foreign higher school; the representatives in the field of patents and utility models must have acquired the required educational degree in one of the professional fields of higher education "Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Informatics", "Technical Sciences", "Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine", or in professional fields: "Medicine", "Dentistry", "Pharmacy" or "Law"; 3. has successfully passed an examination for the acquisition of a professional qualification as a representative in the field of patents, utility models and / or in the field of trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications or has been recognized as such; 4. is entered in the Register of Industrial Property Representatives. (2) Cannot be representative a person, who: 1. is a civil servant; 2. works in an employment contract, except as a teacher in a higher school; 3. has been convicted of an intentional crime of a general nature and has not been rehabilitated; 4. has been placed under interdiction. |
| Practice Required | - For Bulgarian citizens - no practice is required - For persons, who have acquired the right to exercise the profession of representative in another Member State of the European Union, or in a state - party to the European Economic Area Agreement or in the Swiss Confederation, as well as citizens of a Member State of the European Union, entered in the Register of Representatives to the European Patent Office, who are established in the Republic of Bulgaria and wish to practice the profession permanently, shall submit a request for recognition of their professional qualification to the chairman of the Patent Office shall have practice in the field of IP at least one year in the last 10 years - if working full-time, or of equivalent duration - if working part-time, when the profession is not regulated in the country in which it is practiced. |
| Examination | BPO Industrial Property Representative/Professional Representative/ Exam: - Professional qualification for a representative shall be acquired by passing an examination before a commission, appointed by an order of the chairman of the Patent Office. The commission shall consist of at least 5 members and include at least one habilitated representative of the academic community. - The exam consists of a written and an oral part; - The exam shall be held at least once a year - The procedure for conducting the examination and the manner of assessment shall be determined by an act of the chairman of the Patent Office and shall be published on the website of the Office. - The Training for acquiring a professional qualification for an industrial property representative is organized by the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria /BPO/ at least once a year. Certificates shall be issued to those, who have completed the training.; - The last exam for acquiring a professional qualification is from 2025. |
| Continued Professional Education | N.A. |
| Reporting CPE | N.A. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Swiss Patent Office (EIGE) https://www.ige.ch/en |
| Associations | Non-unitary profession Private practice: Verband der freiberuflichen Europäischen und Schweizer Patentanwälte (VESPA) // Association des conseils en brevets suisses et européens de profession libérale (ACBSE) c/o E. Blum & Co. AG, Patentanwälte und Markenanwälte, Franklinturm, Hofwiedenstrasse 349, 8050 Zürich, Schweiz Verband Schweizerischer Patent- und Markenanwälte (VSP) // Association Suisse des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle (ASCPI) // Association of Swiss Patent and Trademark Attorneys (ASPTA) https://vsp.ch/ Postfach 3178 3001 Bern Schweiz Industry: Verband der Industriepatentanwälte in der Schweiz (VIPS) // Association des Conseils en Brevets dans l'Industrie Suisse (ACBIS) https://acbis.ch/ VIPS c/o Blöchle InnoConsult GmbH, Obere Spichermatt 5a, CH-6370 Stans |
| Basic Requirements | 1. For patent attorneys or European patent attorneys counseling or representing in Switzerland 2. Technical or natural scientific degree such as bachelor, master or higher or equivalent (Equivalent academic degrees from non-CH universities need to be accredited) |
| Practice Required | - 3 years of activity in the patent profession as assistant to a qualified registered patent attorney or a similar qualified non-registered person (special requirements) for persons having a master degree or higher, and - 6 years for persons with a bachelor degree; - practical work of at least one year needed with reference to Switzerland |
| Examination | - organised by national chamber of examination - written parts: passed EQE parts A + B, Swiss patent and procedural law - oral part: trademarks, design, copyright, competition and civil law - training organised by Swiss patent office and an organisation of the three patent attorney associations |
| Continued Professional Education | N.A. |
| Reporting CPE | N.A. |
| Professional Representation | All Attorneys (Lawyers) according to the Law are Patent Attorneys and can practice as Patent Attorneys. The list of the Lawyers is found with the Cyprus Bar Association. www.cyprusbarassociation.org |
| Associations | Presently no association. - Unitary profession the website of the Cyprus Bar Association www.cyprusbarassociation.org |
| Basic Requirements | License to practice as a Lawyer in Cyprus. |
| Practice Required | No practice required. Any practicing Lawyer can practice as a Patent Attorney. |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | There is a duty for continued professional education in CYPRUS |
| Reporting CPE | There is a duty for reporting CPE activities to the Cyprus Bar Association |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Chamber of Patent Attorneys; Lawyer on register maintain by the Czech Bar Association (advokát = barrister, has to pass the bar exam). |
| Associations | Chamber of Patent Attorneys in Brno; https://www.patzastupci.cz/; Czech Bar Association (for lawyers): https://www.cak.cz/en/ |
| Basic Requirements | (requirements apply only to patent attorneys): 1. University education (regardless of field, includes bachelor title) 2. Examination 3. Oath to the President of the Chamber of Patent Attorneys |
| Practice Required | (requirements apply only to patent attorneys): 3 years practice in industrial property |
| Examination | - Two-part examination with written and oral part provided by the NPO. - The examination board comprises two members nominated by the Chamber of Patent Attorneys and two members nominated by the NPO. (applies only to patent attorneys) |
| Continued Professional Education | not checked |
| Reporting CPE | no |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Patentanwaltskammer www.patentanwalt.de - Patent Attorneys may represent on their own before the NPO, the Federal Patent Court (validity) and in appeals (validity) before the Federal Supreme Court |
| Associations | - Patentanwaltskammer (PAK) Tal 29 80331 Munich Germany www.patentanwalt.de - VPP Rubianusstraße 8 99084 Erfurt www.vpp-patent.de - Bundesverband der Deutschen Patentanwälte e.V. Pariser Platz 6a 10117 Berlin Germany www.bundesverbandpatentanwaelte.de - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Scientific or technical university degree (Master's level) 2. 12 months practical technical experience |
| Practice Required | - 10 years in patent department of industry (reduced to 8 years for qualified European Patent Attorneys) or - 34 months of training including 26 months under supervision of patent attorney or patent agent in patent department and additionally 2 months at the NPO and 6 months at the Federal Patent Court (of the 26 months, two months can be spent at a patent litigation chamber) - in both cases candidates have to supplement their training with successful studies in general law at a university, e. g. a 2 year distance learning course at Fernuniversität Hagen. |
| Examination | The examination comprises a written examination including four papers on different days and an oral examination. |
| Continued Professional Education | Patent attorneys are legally obliged to undergo CPE (§ 39a (8) PAO) |
| Reporting CPE | There are no provisions for reporting CPE. |
| Professional Representation | No mandatory authorization |
| Associations | - Private practice: Association of Danish Intellectual Property Attorneys (ADIPA) www.adipa.dk 3 years practice for entering Association as full member, 1 year practice to become an associate member - Industry: Dansk Forening for Industriens Patent- og Varemærkespecialister; www.dipinfo.dk To become a member the person has to be employed in a Danish industrial enterprise or institution related there to (industry organizations) and has to deal with IPR (patents, trademarks, etc.) in their normal work - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | - |
| Practice Required | |
| Examination | - No examination - Institutions engaged with education: 1) DIFI; www.difi.dk 2) CEIPI Denmark: www.ceipi.dk 3) EPCtutors.dk www.epctutors.dk |
| Continued Professional Education | None |
| Reporting CPE | None |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by Chamber of Estonian Patent Attorneys https://pvkoda.ee/ Membership is mandatory |
| Associations | Chamber of Estonian Patent Attorneys Toompuiestee 7 15041 Tallinn, Estonia, info@pvkoda.ee - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Is capable; 2. Citizen of Estonia or EEA with permanent residence in Estonia; 3. a nationally recognized master's degree or equivalent qualification in Estonia or abroad, education in field of natural or technical sciences; 4. Speaks and writes fluent Estonian; 5. Command of two foreign languages for the professional work, of which at least one is the official working language of the EPO (English, German, French); 6. No criminal conviction for a crime |
| Practice Required | At least four years employment with registered patent attorney or patent attorney firm during the last ten years |
| Examination | - Written examination comprising 1. theoretical knowledge part 2. part of solving of case exercises of industrial property |
| Continued Professional Education | Yes, CPE is mandatory. Five year period, each year 10 points |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting is mandatory and the evaluation period is five-year. The patent attorney must collect at least 10 continuing education points for each year. The Professional Education Committee of the Chamber monitors the fulfillment of the obligations of patent attorneys and will remind to the Patent Attorney to present the report. There is special regulation concerning activities, inter alia, recognized by the Chamber of Estonian Patent attorneys |
| Professional Representation | Industrial Property Agent on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | - Colegio Oficial de Agentes de la Propriedad Industrial (COAPI) Calle de la Montera, 13 28013 Madrid Spain - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | a) Legal age and full capacity to act b) Citizen of a state of the European Union or legal resident in Spain c) Not having been convicted for an intentional crime, except when being rehabilitated. d) Be in possession or able to obtain the official title of "Grado", "Licenciado", "Arquitecto", "Ingeniero" or other official University degree approved or equivalent to any of the above. Applicants with qualifications obtained abroad must be in possession or in a position to obtain the corresponding certificate of approval to "Grado" of said degree or, where appropriate, the corresponding certificate of equivalence. |
| Practice Required | No practice required for taking examination |
| Examination | - The examination is organised and prepared by the NPO - The examination is held by a panel of members of the NPO - Training course provided by COAPI - Same rules apply for private practice and industry |
| Continued Professional Education | NO. CPE is not mandatory. |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | - Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; www.prh.fi |
| Associations | - Private practice: Suomen Patenttiasiamiesyhdistys r.y. P.O. Box 595 00101 Helsinki Finland www.spay.fi - Industry: Patentti-Insinöörit r.y.; www.patentti-insinoorit.fi - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | - Patent Attorney: a) Scientific or technical university degree (Master Degree or higher); exceptions possible b) Permanent residence in the EEA - Finnish Lawyer: law degree from University |
| Practice Required | - Practise required (for enrolling for examination) a) The candidate may enrol after obtaining at least one year experience in the field. b) Patent law module requires a Master's degree in the field of technology or other appropriate higher education. Trademark or design rights module requires a Master's degree in Law or other applicable degree. c) Intellectual Ombudsman Board may grant exemption from the required education, provided a person has handled intellectual property issues for a minimum of five years and passed an examination which the Board considers sufficient for the applicant to demonstrate the required skills. |
| Examination | - The Intellectual Ombudsman Board organizes IP attorney examination, which for consisting of: 1) a common part with the IP legal system part and intellectual property attorney ethical conduct part; 2) three IP modules, which includes the patent law, trademark law and design law modules. Modules are optional, however at least one module has to be passed for receiving respective qualification. Patent module has four parts. |
| Continued Professional Education | No, CPE is not a mandatory requirement for Authorized Patent Attorney in Finland. However, Authorized Patent Attorney must give a notification to continue the authorization periodically. |
| Reporting CPE | Requirements for continue the Authorization are an economic operability; that an ability to operate has not been legally restricted; and that the Auithorized Patent Attorney is trustworthy in accordance with section 5 of the Finnish Patents Act. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; with notice of specialization (engineer, lawyer) and field (patents, trademarks, designs) |
| Associations | - Private practice: - Compagnie Nationale des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle (CNCPI) 92 rue d'Amsterdam 75009 Paris France www.cncpi.fr - Association des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle (ACPI) 92 rue d'Amsterdam 75009 Paris France - Industry: - Association de Spécialistes en Propriété Industrielle (ASPI) 20 rue Vignon 75009 Paris France - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Engineer diploma or at least University degree (Master) 2. CEIPI diploma (or equivalent) is required |
| Practice Required | 3 years professional practice should be done under the control of a registered patent attorney |
| Examination | - Two separate examinations; patents and trademarks/ designs - The patent examination comprises two written parts and one oral part - Having passed the EQE it is necessary only to take the 2nd written part and the oral part - Examination is organised by the NPO - The examination is drafted and examined by a jury chaired by a magistrate and comprising a lawyer, a university professor and other persons qualified in industrial property - ASPI and CNCPI organise training sessions - A person having the CEIPI diploma, 8 years of professional practice and having passed an oral control on deontology could be registered without passing the examination |
| Continued Professional Education | Art. L422-10-1 of the French IP Code requires CPE for French patent attorneys. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000028716084 The details of the implementation of CPE are specified in Article R422-55-1 of the French IP Code https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000030575141 A legal text ("Arrêté") has specified the requirements for CPE https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000032482542/ |
| Reporting CPE | CPE hours should be reported to CNCPI |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney Register defined in the CDPA Act 1988 is administered by the regulatory board IPReg https://ipreg.org.uk/ |
| Associations | - Unitary profession - The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) 2nd Floor Halton House 20 - 23 Holborn London, EC1N 2JD https://www.cipa.org.uk/ |
| Basic Requirements | Academic requirements defined by the PRB of the IPReg in Schedule 2 of the Rules for the Examination and Admission of Individuals to the Register, namely a. a degree conferred by a University or Higher Education Institution in the United Kingdom (UK), or by the Open University Validation Service, or a licence awarded by the University College of Buckingham before that College was granted University status; b. a degree conferred by the Council for National Academic Awards before 1992; c. a pass in the Legal Practice Course (England and Wales) or the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Education or Studies (Northern Ireland) or the Bar Final Examination; or d. any other qualification, whether obtained in the UK or elsewhere, which the Examination Agency concerned will accept as providing a suitable basis for entry into the patent or trade mark professions |
| Practice Required | - No previous practice is required for taking the examination - For entry onto the national register there is a requirement to have completed either: at least two years full time practice under the supervision of a Patent Attorney, barrister or solicitor, or four years full time practice in the field of intellectual property including patent agency work in the UK |
| Examination | There are two stages to the examination: a foundation stage and a final stage. For the foundation stage, a candidate must successfully complete one or the IPReg-accredited Foundation Certificate courses at Bournemouth University, Brunel University or Queen Mary University London, or the IPReg-accredited Foundation Certificate examinations provided by the Patent Examination Board (PEB - PEB Home page - CIPA https://www.cipa.org.uk/patent-examination-board/). For the final stage, a candidate must successfully complete the Final Diploma provided by the PEB. There are four examinations in the Final Diploma: FD1 - Advanced IP Law and Practice, FD2 - Drafting of Specifications, FD3 - Amendment of Specifications and FD4 - Infringement and Validity. The regulatory board IPReg recognises the equivalence of passing EQE papers A and B with FD2 and FD3 respectively. This does not extend to a compensable fail in relation to a single paper. If a candidate has a compensable fail in EQE papers A or B, they need to re-sit and successfully pass the relevant single paper, or pass the EQE as a whole if they have not passed FD2 and FD3. PEB has a governance board (GB), an examination committee (EC) and a head of qualifications who manages operations. The GB comprises two patent attorney members and three lay members who are educational specialists. Chief, Principal and Marking Examiners with expertise in the examined subjects are appointed by the PEB. The EC comprises the Chief and Principal Examiners. CIPA has an active student body - Informals - which assists candidates in preparing for the national and EQE examinations. |
| Continued Professional Education | All practising patent attorneys have a professional obligation to ensure that they maintain their skills and knowledge at the necessary level to be able to provide a proper service to existing and potential clients. All registered patent attorneys in active practice are required to achieve the minimum of 16 hours CPD in order to remain registered. Attorneys are required to undertake CPD relevant to their practice. IPReg do not require specific numbers of hours to be devoted to particular subjects. Instead, attorneys should determine for themselves, bearing in mind their existing skills and the nature of their practice, the most appropriate subjects where they should undertake CPD, taking account of their responsibilities and the expectations placed upon them. An non-exhaustive list of IP related activities which will normally qualify as CPD are provided here: CPD Activities | The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (ipreg.org.uk). Any attorney who wishes to exercise their rights to litigate under the 2012 Certification Rules will be expected to undertake relevant CPD activities on a sufficiently regular basis to ensure that their skills in that area are maintained. |
| Reporting CPE | All registered patent attorneys in active practice are required to self-certify to the regulatory board IPReg that they have met the CPD requirement when renewing their registration. Compliance may be monitored by requiring detailed support (such as individual CPD records) from a random sample of registrants each year to substantiate the 16 hours figure. |
| Professional Representation | Lawyers and Certified Patent Attorneys may practice |
| Associations | - Presently no association - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | - University degree - Pass Exam |
| Practice Required | - Two years course attendance (Patent Academy) unless EQE qualified |
| Examination | - Formal examination* to become Certified *only exam on Greek Law for Qualified EPAs |
| Continued Professional Education | ?? |
| Reporting CPE | ?? |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | Hrvatska komora patentnih zastupnika i zastupnika za žigove [Croatian Chamber of Patent and Trademark Attorneys] Ulica grada Vukovara 78 10000 Zagreb Croatia |
| Basic Requirements | 1. HR resident and 2. Minimum university degree (Master) from natural or technical science, or Attorney-at- Law + examination passed before the NPO or 3. Equivalent academic degree + examination passed before the NPO + 5 year of IP practice |
| Practice Required | Only if academic degree is different form technical or natural science; with minimum duration of 5 year practice in IP field; except in case of already chartered Attorney-at - Law |
| Examination | - The examination comprises a written and an oral part - The examination is organised and prepared by the NPO |
| Continued Professional Education | There is NO duty for continued professional education in Croatia |
| Reporting CPE | There is NO duty for reporting CPE activities |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Hungarian Chamber of Patent Attorneys |
| Associations | - Hungarian Chamber of Patent Attorneys Kálmán Imre u. 14, 1054 Budapest, Hungary www.szabadalmikamara.hu - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Hungarian or EEA nationality or an immigrant or a settled person 2. Having a clean record 3. University degree (means at least 5 years studies) or master degree in engineering, informatics, or in other health or natural sciences (specifically medical, veterinarian, biologist, chemist, pharmacist, mathematician, physicist) 4. Patent attorney examination |
| Practice Required | - At least 3 years practice as a patent attorney candidate, or - at least 2 years practice as a patent attorney candidate + a certificate confirming completion of training in the drafting of patent applications organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization, or - at least 5 years of experience as a patent examiner or in a position supervising patent examiners at the National Intellectual Property Office or the European Patent Office. + Graduation from a two-year training course organised by the NPO |
| Examination | - National examination comprises: 1. two written parts: one of the topics should be in patents, the other in trademarks; and 2. one oral part: topic selected from national IP law, IP related parts of Civil law and civil procedural law, IP related parts of criminal law; EPC, PCT, International and Community trademark law, basics of national copyright and unfair competition law, TRIPS and other international treaties and patent laws of foreign countries. |
| Continued Professional Education | There is no duty for CPE |
| Reporting CPE | There is no duty for reporting CPE activities |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | - Association of Patent & Trade Mark Agents c/o Maclachlan and Donaldson www.aptma.ie - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. University degree in science or engineering, exceptions possible 2. Examination required for entry on the national register |
| Practice Required | No time limit imposed for taking examination |
| Examination | - The examination comprises two parts, CIPA (GB) and Irish legal part - Ministerial waiver required for compensating CIPA parts with papers of the EQE |
| Continued Professional Education | N/A |
| Reporting CPE | N/A |
| Professional Representation | No register of Patent Attorneys |
| Associations | - Private Practice: Association of Patent and Trademark Attorneys (FUVE) www.fuve.is - Private Practice and industry: Association of Icelandic Patent Professionals (FEIS) www.feis.is |
| Basic Requirements | Residency in Iceland or in EU/EEA countries |
| Practice Required | None required by law |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | Not mandatory |
| Reporting CPE | There are no provisions for reporting CPE |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Ordine dei Consulenti in Proprietà Industriale |
| Associations | - Private practice and industry: Ordine dei Consulenti in Proprietà Industriale Via Piazza Bottini, 1- 20133 Milan Italy www.ordine-brevetti.it email: consiglio@ordine-brevetti.it Private practice: Collegio Italiano dei Consulenti in Proprietà Industriale Sant'Agnese 12 20129 Milan Italy http://www.ficpi.it/ Email: collegio@ficpi.it - Industry: A.I.C.I.P.I., Associazione Italiana dei Consulenti ed Esperti in Proprietà Industriale di Enti o Imprese; Viale Piero e Alberto Pirelli 25 Milan Italy www.aicipi.it https://aicipi.it/ - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. a degree or an equivalent university degree in any foreign country; 2. a diploma or a title issued by a member country of the European Union including the attestation that the candidate has successfully completed a cycle of post-secondary studies with a minimum duration of three years or a part-time equivalent, in a university or in a higher education institution or another institution of the same level of education, provided that the course of study has a technical-professional address relevant to the activity of consultant in industrial property in the field of patents of invention and industrial models. 3. Any person who has passed the European Qualifying Examination for representation before the European Patent Office is admitted to the examination for registration in the patent section. |
| Practice Required | - 18 months training with company, offices or services specialised in industrial property under the supervision of a registered patent attorney with at least 5 years of experience. Enrollment with the Register of Trainees is compulsory for access to the qualifying examination - Examination not required for Italian citizens with employment for 5 years as an EPO examiner - Examination not required for former employees of the Ministry of Economic Development or the Ministry of Defense and have worked for at least 5 years with managerial duties at the Italian Patent and Trademark Office or the Patent and Intellectual Property Service |
| Examination | 1. The examination comprises two written parts: 1.1. patent drafting and 1.2. questions on patent law and 2. one oral part on 2.1. public and private law, competion law and civil procedure 2.2. patent law 2.3. EU and international law in industrial property, 2.4. comparative law in industrial property 2.5. English, French or German as foreign language and 2.6. technical knowledge in chemistry, electricity or mechanics - Having passed the EQE allows for taking examination without practice |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE mandatory under Italian Law as ruled by the Regulation of the Institute (Ordine dei Consulenti). All consultants must obtain in each 2-years period, at least 30 credits (one credit is about one hour of education), of which at least 10 in each single year. At least 3 credits in the 2-years period must derive from training activities or events relating to professional organization or deontology. The Regulation defines the educational and training activities that are suitable to provide credits and the Council of the Institute allocates the credits available for each specific training or educational event on the basis of specific Guidelines also issued by the Institute. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting CPE is mandatory. Its fulfilment is checked by the Council of the Institute following the end of each 2-year period. Failure to fulfill the educational obligation and failure or unfaithful certification of the CPE constitutes a disciplinary violation and it is sanctioned by the Disciplinary Board of the Institute |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the government agency FMA (Finanzmarktauf- sicht) |
| Associations | - Liechtensteinischer Patentanwaltsverband (LIPAV) Kappelestrasse 15 9492 Eschen Liechtenstein - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. National of the EEA or recognized by international treaty 2. National examination 3. Educational background in engineering or natural sciences |
| Practice Required | Practice requirements given by EQE |
| Examination | - National examination; admittance to oral examination only upon success in preceding written examination (8 hours: patent, trademark, design, copyright and competition law) - EQE prerequisite for taking national examination |
| Continued Professional Education | No CPE duties |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney needs to be recognized (admitted) by Institute of Patent Attorneys in Lithuania [Patentinių patikėtinių institutas, hereinafter Institute] according to Patent Attorneys' Act [Patentinių patikėtinių įstatymas]. Register of Patent Attorneys is maintained by Institute, and list of Patent Attorneys is published by both NPO and Institute. |
| Associations | -Institute of Patent Attorneys [Lietuvos patentinių patikėtinių institutas] Sv. Ignoto g. 6 01107 Vilnius Lithuania info@patentiniaipatiketiniai - Compulsory membership with compulsory liability insurance - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Bachelor's or master's degree or an education recognized by the competent authority as equivalent in the physical, biomedical, technological or social sciences; 2. Passing the patent attorney's qualification examination. |
| Practice Required | At least 2 years of practical work experience in industrial property field. |
| Examination | Examination comprises 2 parts: 1. Theoretical part (3 questions in writing form); 2. Practical part (3 tasks in writing form) on patent claims drafting, responding to communications, oppositions, etc. |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE is mandatory for registered PA. Regulation: Procedure of professional development for PA and assessment procedure |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting mandatory. It is obligatory to have per year a CPE quotum of 3 points (for PA of having > 5 years) or 6 points (for PA < 5 years of practice). Disciplinary proceeding may be instituted if not provided of corresponding report. |
| Professional Representation | IP attorneys on Register maintained by "Ministère de l'Economie" |
| Associations | - Fédération des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle au Luxembourg 134, route d'Arlon L-1150 Luxembourg Luxembourg (+352) 31 38 30 - 1 info@fcpil.lu https://fcpil.lu/fr/accueil |
| Basic Requirements | 1. University degree (law, scientific or technical) 2. Three years training with patent attorney registered in LU or other EU national state; and 3. National examination |
| Practice Required | 1. University degree (law, scientific or technical) 2. Three years training with patent attorney registered in LU or other EU national state; and 3. National examination |
| Examination | National examination on LU patent law and Benelux trademark and designs law. Beside the fact that the law requires national examination, in practice there is not yet a national examination performed. |
| Continued Professional Education | There is no duty for continued professional education in Luxembourg. |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; www.lrpv.gov.lv |
| Associations | - Association of Latvian patent attorneys Latvijas Patentpilnvaroto Asociācija (LPPA) Kalēju iela 14-7, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia www.lppa.lv Tel: +371-67820107 Email: info@lppa.lv |
| Basic Requirements | 1. citizen of Latvia or another EU Member State; 2. is fluent in Latvian and has knowledge of at least two foreign languages that is sufficient for professional co-operation with Latvian and foreign persons and institutions; 3. academic or second-level higher vocational education (diplomas issued by foreign institutions of higher education in the respective specialities must be recognised in Latvia). The education shall be in the field of engineering or natural sciences. The law does not state a percentage of technical subjects included in the programme. 4. at least 4 years of relevant practice. 5. should pass national qualification examination. 6. should have professional idemnity insurance with minimum limits set by the law. 7. should indicate address of practice in Latvia. |
| Practice Required | - at least 4 year work experience in the field of protection of industrial property in which respective work in international, regional or national industrial property institutions - Work in the field of protection of industrial property must be systematic, and it shall not include long-term leaves and activity breaks |
| Examination | - Examination has three parts: test for general knowledge in IP, one written part (practical exercise(s)) and one oral part, choice between all, two or one of the fields: patents, trademarks, industrial designs; - Latvian IP legislation, Administrative Prodecure Law, Law on Administrative Liability, Civil Procedure Law, International conventions and treaties, EU IP legislation, practical tasks. |
| Continued Professional Education | Mandatory (Art. 125(3) of the Law on Industrial Property Institutions and Procedures and Art 1.d. of the Code of Conduct) |
| Reporting CPE | Minimum 16 CPE hours per year are mandatory. However reporting CPE is not mandatory. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO http://service-public- entreprises.gouv.mc/ Propriete- intellectuelle/Principa ux-mandataires/Liste- des-principaux- mandataires/Liste- des-principaux- mandataires-aupres- de-la-Propriete- Intellectuelle (MC and selected FR patent attorneys having their place of business close MC) |
| Associations | Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | - No requirements for Monegasque citizens - Requirements for Non- Monegasque citizens in the discretion of the Ministry of Economic Expansion (minimum requirement de facto French Patent Attorney Exam or French Trademark Attorney Exam or EQE) |
| Practice Required | MC is not a member of the EEA, therefore no free movement of professionals. Ministry of Economic Expansion limits numbers of authorisations granted to foreign Patent Attorneys to the actual demand in MC. |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | - |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the State Industrial Property Office |
| Associations | Zdruzenie na zastapnici za intelektualna sopstvenost na Republika Makedonija (Associations of Intellectual Property Representatives of Republic of Macedonia - Skopje) St. "Orce Nikolov" b.b. 1000 Skopje Macedonia |
| Basic Requirements | 1. is a citizen of the Republic of Macedonia; 1.1. has registered to perform representation in the field of industrial property; 1.2. has graduated at Law School, one of the technical faculties and Faculty of Pharmacy; 1.3. has passed the specialised exam in accordance with the provision of this Law; and 1.4. has knowledge of at least one of the official languages of the organisations in this area inhere Republic of Macedonia is a member state; 1.5. a lawyer registered in the Bar Association of the Republic of Macedonia who fulfils the conditions of item 1 and lawyers' association or lawyers' office registered in the Bar Association of the Republic of Macedonia that has employed an individual who fulfils the conditions of item 1 2. Legal person: - that has a registered office in the Republic of Macedonia; - that is registered for representation in the area of industrial property protection; - has employed at least one individual who fulfils the conditions of item 1. |
| Practice Required | No practice requirements |
| Examination | The examination comprises a written and an oral part - The examination is organised and prepared by the State Industrial Property Office (SIPO) - The examination is held by a Commission of members from the SIPO and scientific and expert community - Training is organised by the SIPO and by Association of Intellectual Property Representatives |
| Continued Professional Education | no |
| Reporting CPE | no |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Comptroller of Industrial Property of Malta |
| Associations | None |
| Basic Requirements | Nothing laid down by law |
| Practice Required | Nothing laid down by law |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | - |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | - De Orde van Octrooigemachtigden https://www.octrooigemachtigde.nl/ - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. University degree in science, technology, engineering or agriculture for taking examination 2. Anybody having passed the national examination and having three years practice may enter the national register |
| Practice Required | - 3 years practice at office of NL patent attorney - Exemption for EEA patent attorneys or qualified European Patent Attorneys (provided they pass an aptitude test) |
| Examination | - The examination is in writing and comprises 6 modules: 1) general law (3.5 hours) 2) patent law (3hours) 3) other IP-law, European law, competition law (3 hours) 4) writing an advice regarding a patent- related problem (8 hours) 5) writing of a patent application and 6) defending the same (4 hours each) - The examination is examined by an examination committee appointed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and comprising representatives from the NPO, the patent profession and the legal profession - Training is provided in the form of a two years course - Examination modules form a part of the course, but are also open to persons not following the course - Modules 5 and 6 may be compensated by Paper A and B of the EQE respectively. Currently, the Dutch exam committee is reviewing a similar compensation for the new EQE modules. |
| Continued Professional Education | Yes, CPE is made mandatory by an additional regulation binding the registered members, but it is not indicated in this regulation which activities fall under CPE and how much of the activities are needed. Nevertheless, the current practice is that it is obligatory to have a CPE quotum of 12 points per year and the Raad van Toezicht (the Disciplinary Council) has indicated how many points certain activities will yield. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting is not mandatory but the Disciplinary Council will yearly perform sample checks in which members are requested to show that they have complied with the 12 points requirement. So there is a more or less compulsory docketing duty (at least one should be able to list the CPE activities). |
| Professional Representation | No register of Patent Attorneys |
| Associations | - Private Practice: Foreningen for norske IP rådgivere (FONIP) - Industry: Norsk Forening for Industriens Patentingeniörer (NIP) - a FEMIPI associated union |
| Basic Requirements | - |
| Practice Required | No formal requirements, but only European Patent Attorneys and Lawyers have client attorney privilege |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | ?? duty for CPE |
| Reporting CPE | ?? reporting on CPE |
| Professional Representation | - IP Attorney on register administrated by NPO - Unitary profession for patent and trademark attorneys |
| Associations | - Polska Izba Rzeczników Patentowych (PIRP) (Polish Chamber of Patent Attorneys) https://www.rzecznikpatentowy.org.pl/ - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. University degree (required to have Master degree) from faculty useful for practicing the profession (e.g. technical, legal) 2. Citizenship of EU or EFTA 3. Knowledge of Polish language |
| Practice Required | - 3 years training organized by PIRP - 3 years practice under supervision of experienced patent attorney |
| Examination | Qualifying examination organized by PIRP under supervision of NPO, comprising 3 written parts: a) Drafting a patent application; b) Drafting a legal opinion on IP matters c) Drafting a litigation submission / motion on IP matters |
| Continued Professional Education | Yes, CPE is made mandatory by a Polish IP Law (act on patent attorneys), but it is not indicated in this regulation which activities fall under CPE and how much of the activities are needed. Also there is no specific number of hours required yet. It is expected that PIRP will set up a specific conditions for CPE within next year. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting is not mandatory but PIRP gathers information about attended trainings at PIRP and every patent attorney has access to the list of all his/her/their trainings, webinars, seminars and conferences relating to the continued proffessional education. |
| Professional Representation | IP Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | - Associação Portuguesa dos Mandatários Europeus de Patentes (AMEP) Rua Victor Córdon,14 1249-103 Lisboa Portugal - Associação Portuguesa dos Consultores em Propriedade Intelectual (ACPI) http://www.acpi.pt/ - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. PT or EEA citizens having passed the national examination 2. University degree or high school degree of, at least, 3 years 3. Office located in PT or in the territory of a EEA Member State |
| Practice Required | No practice required for taking examination |
| Examination | - The examination comprises one written part and one oral part - The examination is organised, drafted and examined by the NPO |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE is not mandatory. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting CPE activities is not mandatory. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by NPO and also member of the Romanian Chamber of IP Attorneys |
| Associations | Camera Nationala a Consilierilor in Proprietate Industriala din Romania (CNCPIR) (Romanian Chamber of IP Attorneys) http://patent-chamber.ro/ - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. RO, EU or EEA nationality 2. Business place in RO, EU or EEA 3. Technical, scientific or law university degree |
| Practice Required | - Has at least 3 years of experience in the field of basic professional training and at least 3 years in the field of industrial property. The two periods may overlap in whole or in part. - Patent examiner permanently employed at NPO for at least 5 years. |
| Examination | - Examination organised by the NPO - Examination comprises 3 written parts: 1. One theoretical part on national patent law, PCT, EPC and other international patent treaties, and 2. Two practical parts comprising: 2.1. Drafting a specification and claims including filing a patent application 2.2. Replying to an official action or drafting an opposition paper or appeal or replying to an opposition paper |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE is not mandatory. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting CPE activities is not mandatory. |
| Professional Representation | Attorney at Law or Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | No associations |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Natural person, RS resident; 2. Command of one language of international communication 3. Faculty of Law graduates 4. examination before NPO 5. University degree in Technologies, or Science and Mathematics or Pharmacy + examination before NPO 6. University degree in Technologies, or Science and Mathematics or Pharmacy + at least five years of working experience with the NPO 7. Legal persons having seat in RS and employing at least one Law faculty graduate and one Technology or Sciences and Mathematics or Pharmacy graduate who fulfill conditions to represent clients on a professional basis i.e. who passed Patent Attorney examination |
| Practice Required | 2 years practice in IP, except for Attorneys at Law |
| Examination | - The examination comprises 2 parts: written and oral part - The examination is organized and prepared by the NPO |
| Continued Professional Education | - |
| Reporting CPE | - |
| Professional Representation | No mandatory authorization. Voluntary authorization gives privileged status under the Swedish act on authorisation of patent attorneys (SFS 2010:1052), and Chapter 36, Section 5 of the Swedish Code of Judicial Procedure. A register of authorised patent attorneys is kept by Patentombudsnämnden: http://www.patentombudsnamnden.se |
| Associations | - Private practice: Svenska Patentombudsföreningen http://www.spof.se - Industry: Svenska Industrins IP Förening http://www.sipf.se - Non-unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | Person living in Sweden with a technical or legal degree from a university involving at least 4 years studies |
| Practice Required | 4 years practice in Sweden relating to patent matters |
| Examination | - National examination planned to be held yearly. - Technical and legal matters will be tested. Passing EQE can replace the technical parts, but legal matters relating to Swedish national law and code of conduct need to be tested. |
| Continued Professional Education | Yes, 10 hours of CPE per year is mandatory. Additional hours one year can be carried over to the following year. |
| Reporting CPE | CPE must be reported annually on the association's website. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; http://www.uil-sipo.si/ |
| Associations | - Association of Slovenian Patent Attorneys (ASPA) c/o ITEM d.o.o. Resljeva cesta 16; 1000 Ljubljana - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. university diploma in the technical field or natural science 2. passed the examination |
| Practice Required | No practice required |
| Examination | - National examination for patent attorneys is organized by the NPO and consists of a written part which usually takes appr. 8 hours and an oral part which takes appr. 3 hours - The examination covers Slovenian national legislation and international treaties valid in Slovenia concerning patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications - The EQE has no formal influence on this examination |
| Continued Professional Education | no CPE necessary |
| Reporting CPE | no reporting on CPE |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the Slovak Chamber of Patent Attorneys |
| Associations | - Slovak Chamber of Patent Attorneys https://www.skpz.sk/ - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Tertiary education (University degree) 2. Professional examination 3. Oath to President of the Slovak Chamber of Patent Attorneys |
| Practice Required | 3 years practice by patent attorneys or 4 years practice in industrial property department of companies required for taking examination |
| Examination | Professional examination given by the NPO comprises written and oral parts. The examination covers Slovak national legislation and International treaties valid in Slovakia. The scope comprises the Intellectual Property rights as a whole, focusing in particular on patents, utility model, trade marks and designs. - The EQE has no formal influence on this examination |
| Continued Professional Education | CPE is not mandatory. |
| Reporting CPE | Reporting CPE is not madatory. |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO; http://www.usbm.sm/on-line/en/home.html |
| Associations | - No association - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Enrolment on register of Italian or European patent Attorneys 2. SM citizen or IT/EU citizen having elected business place in SM |
| Practice Required | No practice required |
| Examination | No examination |
| Continued Professional Education | None |
| Reporting CPE | None |
| Professional Representation | Patent Attorney on register maintained by the NPO |
| Associations | - No association legally authorized to represent national patent attorneys. National patent attorneys are optionally member to national organizations including PEM, TOBB, and other international organizations (AIPPI, FICPI). - Unitary profession |
| Basic Requirements | 1. Turkish citizenship with place of residence in Turkey 2. University degree of 4 years |
| Practice Required | No practice required for taking examination |
| Examination | The examination comprises a first written part comprising multi-choice questions related to national patent law and regulations, international treaties, agreements. Also there are questions related to general knowledge in commercial code, economics, mathematics, law in general and Turkish language. The second session of the exam comprises short questions involving claim drafting and prior art interpretation including situations requiring advices to clients. |
| Continued Professional Education | No requirement is envisaged as to continued professional education |
| Reporting CPE |