Article 32

EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE

Representation

CEIPI - European qualifying examination 2023 ("main examination")

The validity of the following information is subject to the further evolution of the Covid-19 crisis and the possibility of organising the on-site training courses mentioned below as currently planned. Updated information will be published on the website of the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) in due time.

For the European qualifying examination (EQE) 2023, CEIPI offers, as part of the Euro-CEIPI collaboration with the European Patent Academy, a complete range of high-quality exam preparation courses using proprietary high-quality training material.

CEIPI has been the first organization to start proposing training for the EQE preparation very shortly after the introduction of the EQE. Successive generations of tutors have worked in the same spirit, by organizing this training based on the "Strasbourg Seminars" creating a propitious atmosphere perfectly adapted for the training of generations of candidates. Although based on this very same principle from the beginning, the courses (contents, duration, timing, etc.) have been continuously adapted to reflect any evolution of the EQE and perfectly accompany our candidates during their exam preparation.

For the EQE 2023, the CEIPI training programme consists of introductory "Methodology" courses in the early autumn of 2022 in Paris, followed by preparatory seminars in November 2022 and in January 2023, in Strasbourg. These courses will also be offered online.

Experience has shown that the on-site training format prepares candidates most efficiently for the examination, because it facilitates intense communication between tutors and participants and among the course participants. The CEIPI therefore recommends to give priority to the on-site training format. However, in order to also prepare those candidates for the EQE who cannot attend the on-site training, the CEIPI also organizes the above courses preparing for the EQE 2023 as online training.

The CEIPI online preparation courses use the same teaching material as the on-site training and are also hosted by the experienced team of CEIPI tutors.

This programme is completed with intensive mock exam courses in late January and early February 2023. These intensive courses, which put candidates under the exam conditions of the e-EQE, will take place online.

According to our experience CEIPI has been successful in providing candidates with a set of courses adapted to the EQE which increases 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 pass rate for the EQE.

Unlike other courses preparing for the EQE, the tutors for these courses are a perfect mix of professional representatives (from private practice and industry), and staff of the departments of first instance of the EPO and of the Boards of Appeal. All have extensive knowledge and practical experience in the procedures before the EPO, be it in examination and opposition, or in appeal before the Boards of Appeal.

Enrolment for the complete CEIPI course offer for one or more papers of the EQE 2023 will allow candidates to benefit from "package" discounts. Further information is available on our website ceipi.edu.

I. Introductory "Methodology" courses in early autumn 2022 for Papers A+B (claim drafting and reply to the official letter), C (opposition) and D (legal questions)

Please note that early enrolment is advisable.

The courses are for candidates intending to prepare themselves for the EQE (main examination). They are not intended for candidates preparing for the pre-examination (see the separate CEIPI announcement in this Official Journal).

They aim to set the candidates as early as possible "on the right track" for preparing for the EQE (main examination) and to bring them to the required level for the CEIPI preparatory seminars to be held in November 2022 and in January 2023 (see below).

In these "Methodology" courses an introduction is given to the methodologies for solving papers A, B, C and D respectively. In particular, they aim at identifying the competencies which candidates must develop in order to pass the examination. Moreover, the examination requirements are explained and a review of important topics for each paper is given. The courses offer candidates tips on preparing for the exams as well as for the CEIPI preparatory seminars in November 2022 and in January 2023.

To fully benefit from the preparatory seminars in November 2022 (Papers A+B and C) and in January 2023 (Paper D), candidates are therefore strongly advised to enrol for these preceding introductory "Methodology" courses to be held in the early autumn of 2022 as well; it helps them to acquaint themselves at an early 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 2023.

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: ceipi.edu under Non-degree courses/Preparation for the EQE.

The courses will be held in Paris for English-, German- and French-speaking candidates, and also be offered as online training. The CEIPI recommends, however, to attend the on-site training, as this has proved to prepare candidates very efficiently for the examination (see above).

The courses are organised as a one-day course (A+B and C, respectively) or as a one-and-a-half-day course (D).

The one-day courses generally run from 8.30/9.00 hrs to 17.00/18.00 hrs.

The dates are:

On request and subject to the availability of suitable tutors, complementary "Methodology" courses can be organised in other cities.

Each "Methodology" course may be taken separately.

The fee for a one-day course is EUR 600. The fee for a one-and-a-half-day course is EUR 900.

The price of the Methodology course A+B includes the "A"- and "B"-Books.

The price of the Methodology course C includes the "C-Book", latest 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.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 August 2022.

You can apply via:
sylvie.kra@ceipi.edu

II. CEIPI preparatory seminars for the European qualifying examination 2023 (main examination), for Papers A+B and C in November 2022 and for Paper D in January 2023, in Strasbourg or online

The Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI) is holding two seminars to help candidates prepare for the European qualifying examination (EQE) 2023 (main examination).

Participants are expected to have reached an advanced stage in their own preparations for the examination. To achieve this level, introductory "Methodology" courses for Papers A+B, C and D will be held in the early autumn of 2022 (see above).

To fully benefit from these preparatory seminars in November 2022 (Papers A+B and C) and in January 2023 (Paper D), candidates are advised to enrol for the earlier mentioned Methodology 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 seminars are largely based on past EQE papers. The A+B and C seminar will incorporate mock exams in the form of papers A and B 2021 and paper C 2021 under exam conditions and exercises. The D seminar will also incorporate a mock examination based on paper D 2022.

Papers A, B and C

The seminar on Papers A (drafting of claims and an introduction), B (reply to an official letter) and C (drafting an opposition) will be held from 14 to 18 November 2022. It is offered either as a "Strasbourg seminar" or remotely.

The CEIPI recommends to attend the Strabourg seminar, as this has proved to prepare candidates very efficiently for the examination (see above).

The seminar will cover the following topics: drafting claims and drafting an introduction to the description in Paper A; drafting an appropriately amended set of claims and a letter to the EPO in Paper B; and drafting a notice of opposition in Paper C (see Rules 23-25 of the IPRE (supplementary publication 2, OJ EPO 2019) and the communications of the Examination Board of 5 November 2012 and 18 July 2013). The seminar takes into account the specificities of the e-EQE.

The A+B or C part may be booked separately. Depending on the availability of places, it is possible to enrol for the A or B part only.

Th course will be held in each official language of the EPO (English, French and German).

The methodologies discussed in the introductory "Methodology" courses (see above) are refreshed and further developed using past papers, updated if necessary, under the guidance of a tutor. Essential topics such as the problem/solution approach, partial problems, priority, inadmissible amendments and prior public use will also be discussed further.

Participants will have the opportunity to apply the strategies and topics discussed in the seminar by doing papers A and B 2021 under mock examination conditions. For Paper C exercises are mixed with doing the examination paper C 2021, the latter under mock exam conditions. Various approaches and suggested solutions will then be presented and discussed in the light of the examiners' reports and model solutions of CEIPI (i.e. the "CEIPI solution").

Paper D

The seminar on legal questions (Paper D) will be held either from 9 to 13 January 2023 as a "Strasbourg seminar" or from 16 to 20 January 2023 as online training.

The CEIPI recommends to attend the Strasbourg seminar, as this has proved to prepare candidates very efficiently for the examination (see above).

The seminar aims at enabling candidates to answer the legal questions substantively and within the available time. 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 1 as well as the more extensive question of Part D 2, and practise these techniques. The seminar takes into account the specificities of the e-EQE.

General

The seminars' 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 should have sufficient command of one of the EPO's official languages (English, French or German).

Participant numbers per group 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: ceipi.edu under Non-degree courses/Preparation for the EQE.

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 1 800 for the five-day courses (seminar A+B and C or seminar D); for the A+B part and for the C part on their own the fee is EUR 925 each.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 14 October 2022.

You can apply via: sylvie.kra@ceipi.edu

More information on both these courses can also be obtained from:

Christiane Melz
CEIPI Section Internationale
Bâtiment LE CARDO
7 rue de l'Ecarlate
CS 20024
FR-67082 STRASBOURG Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)368 858313
christiane.melz@ceipi.edu

III. Intensive courses "mock examination" for Papers A+B, C and D of the European qualifying examination 2023 (main examination)

To complete the above programme, CEIPI offers for Papers A+B, C and D an opportunity to candidates wishing to improve their skills in respect of these papers. To that end, CEIPI organises intensive mock examination courses, in which candidates put themselves under examination conditions and write a full Paper A+B, C or D within the same time and according to the format of the e-EQE. The papers will receive a quick check by the tutors and will be handed back to the candidates with the result.

The courses are particularly designed for candidates who have enrolled for the EQE 2023 (main examination), respectively for Papers A+B, C or D and have followed either a preceding introductory "Methodology" course, or a recent preceding "Preparatory Seminar" for these papers, or both.

There is no point coming 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) 2023, to exercise their skills in sitting these papers 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.

The intensive courses, which aim at putting candidates under the exam conditions of the e-EQE, will only be organised online.

Depending on the available capacity the participants will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.

Intensive course "mock examination" for Papers A+B:

The online plenary session will take place:

• on Tuesday afternoon, 24 January 2023, for the English- and German-speaking candidates;
• on Thursday afternoon, 26 January 2023 for the French-speaking candidates.

Sufficiently in advance of this session, participants send their mock papers to the CEIPI secretariat for correction by the tutors. The papers should preferably be prepared with Wiseflow. The corrected papers will be returned to the participants in due time.

The fee per course is EUR 750.

Intensive course "mock examination" for paper C:

The online plenary session will take place:

• on Wednesday, 25 January 2023, for the English- and German-speaking candidates,
• on Saturday, 28 January 2023, for the French-speaking candidates.

Sufficiently in advance of this session, participants send their mock paper to the CEIPI secretariat for correction by the tutors. The paper should preferably be prepared with Wiseflow. The corrected paper will be returned to the participants in due time.

The fee for the course is EUR 750, including a review of the candidate's paper.

More information on the course programme can be found on the CEIPI website: ceipi.edu under Non-degree courses/Preparation for the EQE.

Intensive course "mock examination" for paper D:

This course will take place:

• on Tuesday, 31 January and Wednesday, 1 February 2023, for the English- and German-speaking candidates,
• on Thursday, 2 February and Friday, 3 February 2023, for the French-speaking candidates.

The fee for the course is EUR 750.

More information on the course programme can be found on the CEIPI website: ceipi.edu under Non-degree courses/Preparation for the EQE.

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 applications is 9 December 2022.

You can apply via:
sylvie.kra@ceipi.edu

For further information you can also contact:

Christiane Melz
CEIPI Section Internationale
Bâtiment LE CARDO
7 rue de l'Ecarlate
CS 20024
FR-67082 STRASBOURG Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)368 858313
christiane.melz@ceipi.edu