Visit of AIPLA delegation March 2014 Tony Tangena epi President

1. Visit of AIPLA delegationMarch 2014Tony Tangenaepi President European Patent Institute

2. Agenda: • Introduction epi • Unitary Patent • Unitary Patent Court European Patent Institute

3. States with epi members European Patent Institut European Patent Institute

4. European patent Convention • EPC larger than European Union: 38 versus 27 countries • Includes NO, TR, IS, CH • In future different legal systems in / out European Union • Unitary patent for 25 countries of EC • Unitary Patent Court for 25 countries of EC European Patent Institute 4

5. Future EU patent System • Unitary patent system • European bundle patent • National patent • Unitary Patent Court • National Courts Role of players needs to be defined: • EPO as central high quality granting organization • NPO as first entry from countries to patent system: information to public, universities, SMEs • epi as first rate advisor for companies and inventors how to make money from innovations European Patent Institute

6. Challenges epi patent attorneys • Different focus from different countries • Economic situation differs greatly • Keep national systems intact versus focus on Europe • Advisor of companies versus formal actions (original patent drafting versus translations) To work in the world lovingly means that we are defining what we will be for, rather than reacting to what we are against Christina Baldwin European Patent Institute

7. Two types of patent attorney • 25%: ‘Grandfathers’ or ‘grandmothers’: no examination or test, qualification automatically granted when country accedes European Patent Convention • 75%: EQE qualified: qualified through the European Qualification Examination: • >11,000 European Patent Attorneys • they are obliged to be member of epi European Patent Institute 7

8. European Qualification Examination: EQE: • Technical degree at least Bachelor • Pre-exam: • After 2 years • Multiple choice • Passing rate ~100% • EQE: • After 3 years and pre-exam • 4 exams: drafting, reply, opposition, legal • passing rate 40-50% European Patent Institute

9. Number of EU Patent attorneys epi resembles EU; votes depend only slightly on numbers of attorneys European Patent Institute

10. Challenges • Population of patent attorneys differs largely over Europe • Many countries have few well-trained patent attorneys • Cooperation support programme • In many countries amount of work per attorney is small What will the new unitary patent and the patent court bring? • More work to those who already have work? • A new chance for all who are willing train and get experience in the new system? European Patent Institut

11. Facts epi Structure: • Council: • 2-6 members per country • Responsibilities: general policy, elections, by-laws, financials, disciplinary matters, management / control • meets 2 times per year, once in Munich • Board: • 1 member per country, 2 for UK, DE, FR • Responsibilities: all other powers, meeting committees, delegated powers • meets 2 times per year in one of 38 countries European Patent Institut

12. Facts epi Structure: • Presidium: President (NL), 2 VP (DE, RO), 1 Treasurer (BE), 1 Secretary-general (PT), deputy SG (CH), deputy treasurer (CZ) • (Sub)Committees: 14 (40) with from 4 – 65 members • Secretariat: 10 persons in Munich, incl. 1 Legal Advisor All functionsexceptsecretariatunpaidvolunteers • Annual subscription: 160euros • Headquarters:Munich

13. Outside contacts • EP Organisation: Admin Council, Select Committee • EP Office: SACEPO, Partnership for Quality, EP Academy, EQE • WIPO • EuropeanCommission • National organisations patent attorneys • AIPLA, FICPI, LES, AIPPI, BusEU, UNION European Patent Institute