Genesis, growth, development and organizational structure of the

							Europäisches Patentamt

European Patent Office

Office européen des brevets

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• March 2000 Lisbon European Council • March 2002 Barcelone Council • EC action plan "3% investment of budget in in research and development

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• Institution of the European Patent Organisation • Set up within the organisational structure of the European Patent Office • Under DG Legal & International Affairs • Located at EPO headquarters in Munich

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What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

• to promote, develop and manage a Europe-wide harmonised education and training scheme in the field of European patent-related intellectual property, in cooperation with present and future EPC contracting states • to promote, support and co-ordinate the preparation of candidates for the European qualifying examination, in cooperation with the European Patent Institue (epi)

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• to promote, support and co-ordinate further continuous vocational training for professional representatives before the European Patent Office • to support training activities aimed at harmonising patent enforcement and litigation practice in Europe

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• to increase familiarity with the European patent system by supporting European patent-related intellectual property lecturing at universities and European patent-related research activity • to complement the activities of the national offices of present and future EPC contracting states with European patentrelated intellectual property education and training events designed with and implemented for and with the national offices
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• to promote the development of harmonised European minimum standards for professional education and training in the patent-related intellectual property field • to facilitate the EPC accession process and support the integration of professionals by providing education and training in European patent-related intellectual property matters, in cooperation with the relevant states and their national patent offices
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• to enable and support innovation by promoting and participating in educational projects in the field of IP strategy, evaluation and management • to support educational projects aimed at facilitating co-operation between IP lawyers, attorneys and patent attorneys
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• to set up a network of national, European and international education institutions and organisations in the field of intellectual property and foster their co-operation in the patent-related field for the development and offering of harmonised education opportunities • to develop education and training concepts based on e-learning technologies, dedicated training tools, materials and publications
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• to propose quality and reference standards for equal access in all EPC contracting states to harmonised training opportunities • to co-operate with international organisations active in IP education

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• to set up a European web-based platform for online patent-related intellectual property training, information and documentation, including a virtual library and an IP training database • to co-ordinate within the European Patent Office the external training activities developed in present and future EPC contracting states

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What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

Executive Director Director Operations & Customer Care
Institutional Strengthening/ Co-operation NPO’s

Director Know-How

IP Professionals

Academia

Innovation Support

Jurisdiction
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Materials, Media & Technology

What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

• Promote harmonised education • Promote and support
– preparation of candidates for EQE – vocational training for professional representatives – Training initiatives on patent enforcement and litigation

• • • •
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Awareness amongst academia Complement national IP offices’ initiatives Support innovation Facilitate co-operation and knowledge exchange between IP professionals

What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

• Forums/seminars/workshops • Distance and e-learning education and training courses • Equal access to harmonised training • Web-based platform for online patentrelated IP training
– Information and documentation – Virtual library – IP training database

• Network of working partners • Co-operation with international organisations and education institutes
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What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

Supervisory Board
• 7 members • 7 deputies • Term = 3 yrs • Chairman • Permanent observers • Meet 1x year • Responsibilities:
– Strategy
– Opinions – Appointment of experts – Fee policy

Executive Academic Director Advisory Board • Appointed by • Max. 19 President of EPO members • Responsibilities: composed of: – 3 Academy E.g.:
– Operational management – External relations – Financial management – Reporting Directors
– IP professionals – Experts – Staff

• Chair = Executive Director • Meet 1x year

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• Presents results to Administrative Council

What is it Why & How Objectives Organisation chart Tasks Fulfilling the tasks Organs of the Academy Financial

• Contribution from general budget of European Patent Organisation • Fees for some services performed • Other sources
– Donors – Grants

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We look forward to working with you Thank you for your attention

Jean-Michel Zilliox Head of the International Academy Tel: ++49 89 2399 5235 jzilliox@epo.org
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