REPRESENTATION
CEIPI
European qualifying examination 2014 ("main examination")
For the European qualifying examination (EQE) 2014 (main examination), CEIPI offers, in the Euro-CEIPI collaboration with the European Patent Academy, a programme of exam preparation courses consisting of "introductory courses" in the early autumn of 2013 in a number of different cities in Europe, followed by the "preparatory seminars" in November 2013 and January 2014, in Strasbourg, France.
For Paper C (Opposition) this programme is completed with a "cramming course" in February 2014, in Strasbourg and Paris.
The Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) has developed this programme over recent years and believes it has been successful in providing candidates with a set of courses adapted to the EQE, increasing their chances of success. Statistics based on feedback from French-speaking candidates - for whom this programme has been in place now for a number of years - show that their chances of success after following this programme are in the order of 70-80%, considerably higher than the average success rate for the EQE.
The tutors for these courses are a mix of professional representatives (from private practice and industry), and staff of the EPO.
I. Introductory ("pre-prep") courses in early autumn 2013 on Papers A/B (claim drafting and response to the Office communication), C (opposition) and D (legal questions):
Please note that early enrolment is advisable.
These introductory ("pre-preparatory") courses are intended principally – but not exclusively – for candidates who have taken CEIPI's basic European patent law training course.
These courses are for candidates intending to sit the EQE (main examination) in 2014. They are not intended for candidates sitting the pre-examination (see the separate CEIPI announcement in this Official Journal).
They aim to set the candidates as early as possible "on track" for preparing for the EQE (main examination) 2014 and for reaching the required level for the CEIPI preparatory seminars in November 2013 and January 2014 (see below).
In these courses an introduction is given to the methodologies that can be applied to papers A, B, C and D respectively, the examination requirements as well as a review of important topics the candidates can expect for each paper. The courses offer candidates suggestions to help them prepare for the exams as well as for the CEIPI preparatory seminars in November 2013 and January 2014.
It is our experience that a not insignificant number of candidates come insufficiently prepared to the preparatory seminars in November and January, after which there is insufficient time to learn and practice all the material taught.
To fully benefit from the preparatory seminars in November 2013 (Papers A/B and C) and in January 2014 (Paper D), candidates are therefore strongly advised to enrol for these preceding introductory ("pre-prep") courses to be held in the early autumn of 2013 as well; it helps them to acquaint themselves at an earlier stage with the intricacies of the papers, the methodologies taught and the material to be studied, which gives them more time to practise before the preparatory seminar and the European qualifying examination in 2014.
Depending on the available capacity the participants will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.
More information on the course programme can be found on the CEIPI website: www.ceipi.edu under International section - Preparation for the EQE/Seminars/Preprep courses.
The courses will be held as a one-day course (A/B and C) or a one-and-a-half-day course (D) in Strasbourg (for English- and German-speaking candidates) and Paris (for English- and French-speaking candidates; D also in Lyon if sufficient French-speaking candidates enrol).
The regional one-and-a-half day courses (A/B, C and D) in Milan (IT) and Copenhagen (DK) will be held only in English. They will start on Friday afternoon and continue for the entire following Saturday.
The one-day courses generally run from 8.30/9.00 to 17.00/18.00 hrs.
The dates are:
Paper | Milan (EN) | Copenhagen (EN) | Paris (FR) | Lyon (FR) | Strasbourg (EN, DE) | Paris (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A/B |
20.-21.9 |
4.-5.10 |
4.10 |
|
21.9 |
4.10 |
C |
27.-28.9 |
27.-28.9 |
5.10 |
|
20.9 |
5.10 |
D |
4.-5.10 |
11.-12.10 |
6.-7.9 |
13.-14.9 |
18.-19.9 |
2.-3.10 |
Each course needs a minimum of 12 participants to take place! |
||||||
Each course may be taken separately.
The fee for each one-day course in Paris or Strasbourg is EUR 500. The fee for the one-and-a-half-day courses in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Milan and Copenhagen is EUR 750 each.
The price of the C-pre-prep courses includes the "C-Book", 4th edition.
Applications to CEIPI will be treated on a first come, first served basis. If the courses are oversubscribed, names will be put on a waiting list.
At least 12 candidates should enrol for a course to take place. Those candidates whose course has to be cancelled for that reason will be invited to attend either in Paris or in Strasbourg.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 19 July 2013.
You can apply via: preparationEQE@ceipi.edu
II. CEIPI preparatory seminars for the European qualifying examination 2014 (main examination), for papers A/B and C in November 2013, for Paper D in January 2014, Strasbourg
Please note that early enrolment is advisable.
The Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) is holding two seminars in Strasbourg to help candidates prepare for the European qualifying examination (EQE) 2014 (main examination).
Participants are expected to have reached an advanced stage in their own preparations for the examination. To this end, introductory ("pre-prep") courses for Papers A/B, C and D will be held in Strasbourg, Paris, Lyon, Milan and Copenhagen in the early autumn of 2013 (see above).
To fully benefit from these preparatory seminars in November 2013 (Papers A/B and C) and in January 2014 (Paper D), candidates are advised to enrol for these introductory ("pre-prep") courses; it helps them to acquaint themselves at an earlier stage with the methodologies taught and sets them on track for preparing themselves better.
The working texts for the seminar are largely based on past EQE papers. The A/B and C seminar in November will incorporate mock exams in the form of papers from the EQE 2013 (Papers A and B) and 2011 (Paper C) under exam conditions and exercises. The D seminar in January will incorporate a mock exam in the form of the D II Paper from the EQE 2013.
Papers A, B and C
The seminar on Papers A (claim drafting), B (claim amendment and response to the Office communication) and C (opposition) will be held from 25 to 29 November 2013.
The seminar will cover the following topics: drafting claims and drafting an introduction to the description in Paper A; replying to an Office communication and preparing an appropriately amended set of claims in Paper B; and drafting both a notice of opposition and a response to the client's questions in Paper C (see Rules 23-25 of the IPRE (supplement to OJ EPO 12/2011) and the communication of the Examination Board of 5 November 2012).
The A/B or C part may be booked separately.
The courses will be held in each official language of the EPO (English, French and German).
In this seminar the A/B part will have groups for chemistry and mechanics/electricity subject-matter.
The methodologies discussed in the introductory courses ("pre-prep" courses, see above) will be reviewed and deepened, using a past paper, under the guidance of a tutor. Important topics like the problem/solution approach, partial problems, priority, inadmissible amendments and prior use will also be discussed further.
Participants will have the opportunity to apply the strategies and methodologies discussed by doing the 2013 A and B papers under mock examination conditions. For Paper C exercises are mixed with the examination Paper C-2012, the latter under mock exam conditions. Various approaches and suggested solutions will then be presented and discussed in the light of the examiners' report and the "CEIPI solution".
The A/B and C seminars are for those intending to sit the EQE (main examination) in 2014.
Paper D
The seminar on legal questions (Paper D) will be held from 6 to 10 January 2014 (Monday to Friday). In case of a large number of enrolments, it is possible that an additional, second seminar will take place, from 20 to 24 January 2014 (Monday to Friday). For this possibility candidates may indicate a preference: A = first week, B = second week, C = indifferent. The decision whether or not the second seminar will take place, as well as the distribution of candidates in such case, will be made in early November 2013.
Applicants may indicate a preferred week, but course allocation will be at CEIPI's discretion.
The seminar aims to enable candidates to answer the legal questions substantively and within the time allowed. It serves as a final test for the EQE. The method involves independent work under the tutors' supervision, plus discussion of the answers. Candidates learn and practise the different approaches needed to tackle the questions of Part D I as well as the more extensive question of Part D II, and practise these techniques.
The Paper D seminars are for those intending to sit the EQE (main examination) in 2014.
General
The seminar's European character is reflected in the international mix of tutors (qualified European patent attorneys as well as staff of the EPO) and participants. Group-based work ensures discussion between the two. Participants are required to know one of the EPO's official languages (English, French or German).
Participant numbers are limited, to ensure proper discussion between tutors and the group.
More information on the programme of the seminars can be found on the CEIPI website: www.ceipi.edu under International section - Preparation for the EQE/Seminars.
Enrolment conditions:
Applications to CEIPI will be treated on a first come, first served basis. If the courses are oversubscribed, names will be put on a waiting list. Those enrolling for the first time will be given precedence over those wishing to repeat the courses.
The fee is EUR 1 400 for the five-day courses (A/B/C or D); for the A/B part and for the C part on their own the fee is EUR 725 respectively.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 27 September 2013.
You can apply via:
More information on both these courses can also be obtained from:
Christiane Melz
CEIPI Section Internationale
Université de Strasbourg
Boîte Postale 68
67046 Strasbourg cedex
France
Tel. +33 (0)368 858313
Fax: +33 (0)368 858566
III. CEIPI "cramming course" for Paper C of the European qualifying examination 2014 (main examination)
To complete the above programme, CEIPI offers for Paper C (opposition) a last-minute opportunity to candidates wishing to improve their skills in respect of this paper. To that end, CEIPI organises a "cramming course", in which candidates put themselves under examination conditions and write a full Paper C within the same time as available in the examination. The papers will receive a quick check by the tutors and will be handed back to the candidates with the result.
This concept has been developed over recent years for French-speaking candidates and has met with considerable appreciation from the candidates. CEIPI considers it worth the effort to find out whether the concept also works on a larger scale, for candidates with the other official languages.
The course is open only for candidates who have enrolled for the EQE 2014 (main examination) for Paper C and have followed either a preceding Introductory ("pre-prep") course, or a recent preceding "Preparatory Seminar" for Paper C, or both.
It is of no use to come to this course insufficiently prepared, as this will either hold up the other candidates or the pace will be too fast.
Please note that early enrolment is advisable.
The aim of the course is to give the candidates the possibility, close to but also sufficiently in advance of the actual European qualifying examination (main examination) end of February 2014, to exercise their skills in sitting this paper under examination conditions. With subsequent feedback from a tutor on the paper(s) in question and on the work delivered by the candidates, as well as the possibility of putting "last-minute" questions to the tutor, candidates will have an even better idea of whether certain issues need closer study and/or which skills should be further trained.
Depending on the available capacity the participants will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.
This "cramming course" will take place:
- as a one-and-a-half-day course on Thursday, 30 and Friday, 31 January 2014 in Strasbourg, for the English- and German-speaking candidates,
- as a one-day course on Saturday, 1 February 2014 in Paris, for the French-speaking candidates.
The fee for the Strasbourg course is EUR 650, for the Paris course EUR 500.
More information on the course programme can be found on the CEIPI website: www.ceipi.edu under International section - Preparation for the EQE/Seminars/Cramming Course
Programme:
Strasbourg (English- and German-speaking candidates):
Thursday, 30 January 2014
10.00 - 15.00 hrs | Mock exam, Paper C-2013 plus handing in the papers to the CEIPI Secretariat |
| Quick correction of the papers by the tutors |
Friday, 31 January 2014,
9.00 - 13.00 hrs | Discussion of the papers handed in, presentation of the CEIPI model solution for C-2013 and question and answer session |
Paris (French-speaking candidates):
Saturday, 1 February 2014
9.00 - 12.30 hrs | Mock exam C - 2005, Writing the notice of opposition based on predetermined attacks |
13.30 - 16.30 hrs | Mock exam C - 2011, Determination of the attacks, |
| Quick check of the written papers by the tutor |
17.00 - 19.00 hrs | Papers 2005 and 2011:Discussion of the results |
Applications to CEIPI will be treated on a first come, first served basis. If the courses are oversubscribed, names will be put on a waiting list.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 3 January 2014.
You can apply via:
For further information you can also contact:
Sylvie Kra
CEIPI Section Internationale
Université de Strasbourg
Boîte Postale 68
67046 Strasbourg cedex
France
Tel. +33 (0)368 858019
Fax +33 (0)368 858566
Special course on Paper C (opposition) for "multiple resitters"
Friday, 22 November and Saturday, 23 November 2013, Strasbourg
Please note that early enrolment is advisable.
This course is intended in principle only for candidates who have failed Part C (opposition) of the European qualifying examination more than once. The course is motivated by the realisation that many candidates are insufficiently prepared, lacking the knowledge and skills that this paper demands. Candidates having failed this paper only once will be put on a waiting list, in case places are still available.
The course aims are to make candidates aware of the preparation, knowledge and skills they really need in order to pass the paper, and to help them attain the required level.
The course will examine the principles behind the paper and the legal, technical and practical problems it has posed in the past. It will also introduce candidates to useful examination techniques.
Work will be done in small groups, to ensure proper dialogue between tutor and participant. Participants must have a good command of an EPO official language (English, French or German). If fewer than ten people enrol for one of these languages, the course is likely to be held in English.
To optimise programme organisation it would be helpful if participants when enrolling could include a copy of at least one Paper C that they have failed, preferably the C-2013 paper. This will make it possible to define general problem areas and offer suitable solutions. Protection of personal data is guaranteed. The papers handed in will receive a quick check by the tutors, who will then provide personal feedback.
Course participants should not also apply for Part C of the ABC preparatory course in November 2013, because there is a considerable syllabus overlap.
The course starts at 9.00 hrs on Friday, 22 November 2013, and ends at 18.00 hrs on Saturday, 23 November 2013.
More information on the course programme can be found on the CEIPI website: www.ceipi.edu under International section - Preparation for the EQE/Special C Course
Conditions for enrolment:
Applications to CEIPI will be treated on a first come, first served basis. If the course is oversubscribed, names will be put on a waiting list.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 1 October 2013.
The course fee is EUR 850. The price includes the "C-Book", 4th edition, and lunch on both days.
You can apply via:
For further information you can also contact:
Sylvie Kra
CEIPI Section Internationale
Université de Strasbourg
Boîte Postale 68
67046 Strasbourg cedex
France
Tel. +33 (0)368 858019
Fax +33 (0)368 858566