REPRESENTATION
PRAKTIKA INTERN
In-house training programme for patent professionals
The EPO operates a programme of in-house training modules aimed at European patent attorneys working in private practice or industry as well as candidates for the European qualifying examination (EQE) with suitable experience.
The programme - known as PRAKTIKA INTERN - is run by the European Patent Academy, whose objectives include the promotion of equal access across all current and future EPC contracting states to training opportunities related to international and European patent law and practice.
Modules
The three modules which make up the programme have been designed for participants with different levels of knowledge and experience. They are free-standing, and applicants will be selected irrespective of their previous participation in any of the other modules.
The following modules will be available in 2012:
Module 1 - Initial training
Module 1, which mainly takes the form of classroom sessions, introduces participants to the patent grant and post-grant procedures before the EPO. Lasting three weeks, it is aimed at participants who have already started their professional training with a professional representative or in industry and who intend to sit the European qualifying examination or the pre-examination paper within the next three to four years.
It is available at the EPO's Berlin, Munich and The Hague sites on the following dates:
3.9. - 21.9.2012 (Berlin)
11.6. - 29.6.2012 (The Hague)
18.6. - 6.7.2012 (Munich)
Module 2 - Working with an examiner
Applicants for module 2 are required to have adequate knowledge of the European patent grant procedure as well as the national patent grant procedure of one of the EPC contracting states. They must also have successfully completed the CEIPI/epi basic training course in European patent law or an equivalent course. In exceptional cases, they may be admitted into the programme if they can demonstrate a level of knowledge equivalent to that of an EQE candidate.
Participants spend three weeks in Directorate-General 1 (search, examination and opposition) working on actual case files, under the supervision of an examiner who explains how DG 1 works and how to use its electronic tools.
Module 2 is available at the EPO's Munich and The Hague sites on the following dates:
8.10. - 26.10.2012 (Munich)
24.9. - 12.10.2012 (The Hague)
Module 3 - Technical board of appeal
Applicants for module 3 must have more advanced qualifications (preferably the EQE or a national patent attorney qualification) and/or practical experience in dealing with patent filing, opposition, appeals and/or litigation. Participants are assigned to a technical board of appeal in Directorate-General 3 in Munich, where they learn about the procedure before the boards of appeal and may also be able to attend oral proceedings.
There is no fixed schedule for this module. Dates are arranged in agreement with the individual boards.
Costs
Participation in the modules is free of charge, but participants must bear their own living costs and other expenses. Applications for financial support from the EPO may be granted in exceptional circumstances (see the application form).
Admission
Applicants must be nationals of an EPC contracting state, and their residence or place of business must also be in such a country.
In addition, they must have a good knowledge of at least one EPO official language and a basic knowledge of the other two. The number of places on the programme each year is limited, and preference will be given to candidates whose mother tongue is not an EPO official language. For module 1, preference will be given to applicants from countries which acceded to the European Patent Convention more recently.
To submit an online application, go to:
www.epo.org/about-us/jobs/vacancies/internships/patent-professionals.html.
Applications must reach the European Patent Academy no later than 31 January 2012.
European Patent Office
European Patent Academy
80469 Munich, Germany
e-mail: praktika-intern@epo.org