FICPI, the Federation of International Intellectual Property Attorneys, has been instrumental in designing the course with WIPO and is providing tutors. The 8-month programme encompasses online and in-person tutoring for emerging patent professionals across the globe. The fee structure is tailored to the level of development of each category. 278 applicants applied for the inaugural course, and the current cohort of 40 students represent 26 countries.
The course is part of WIPO’s wider aim of raising IP skills and knowledge globally, to develop innovation ecosystems.
The programme also provides WIPO member states with the opportunity to integrate the course into their national/regional qualification and training of patent professionals through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WIPO.
Didier Intès, President of the FICPI Training and Education Committee (TEC) and Senior Partner at Cabinet Beau de Loménie in France, and his successor for next term, Eric Le Forestier, Course Coordinator at TEC and IP attorney at Le Forestier Conseil in France, have been heavily involved in this work.
Sharon Crane, Chair of FICPI’s working group on Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals (CET5) and Partner at Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C. (USA) and Karl Rackette, member of FICPI's Study & Work Committee on International Patent Matters, and of RACKETTE Patentanwälte PartG mbB (Germany), and Eric Le Forestier are amongst the FICPI instructors for the inaugural course.
FICPI President, Julian Crump, and Partner at Abel + Imray (UK), said, “FICPI is delighted to see the launch of this important initiative, the culmination of many months of development between FICPI’s Training and Education Committee and WIPO. FICPI is also providing trainers, designing the mentoring and examination, and contributing to awareness of the programme.”
He adds, “Education is at the heart of FICPI’s approach and we have a strong track record in developing and delivering patent drafting courses through our SEAD programme for South East Asia, Europe and South America, part of our commitment to helping our members to connect, share knowledge and grow.” You may view Mr Crump's introductory video here.
Countries can choose to recognize the International Patent Drafting Training Program, as part of their own training program for drafting professionals through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Through an MOU, the WIPO Certificate may:
- Be a prerequisite for becoming a national patent agent/professional;
- Provide a number of credits required to become a national patent agent/professional;
- Be an obligatory educational program for national patent agents/professionals;
- Provide a number of credits required within an obligatory educational program for national patent agents/professionals; or
- Provide a professional title that recognizes the expertise in patent drafting.
For more information, click here.