Open for registration until 30 June 2020, the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) is about to launch the third edition of its EUIPO Trade Mark and Design Education Programme (ETMD EP).

The ETMD EP is a training programme for IP practitioners delivered by EUIPO staff, IP professionals and academics. It focuses on all practical aspects related to the registration and prosecution of European Union trade marks and European Community designs delivered through workshops at the EUIPO’s premises in Alicante, Spain, and remote learning through webinars and guided reading.

The programme comprises approximately 150 hours of courses and will be run from September 2020 to June 2021. It is held in English. Candidates who pass the written and oral exams will be given a certificate. Currently, the ETMD EP is only accessible for EU/EEA practitioners.

Being involved in this educational initiative as a tutor and representative of trade mark user association MARQUES I cannot recommend it enough. It is a tremendously positive experience and a great honor to work side by side with colleagues from EUIPO, Academia and trade mark user associations and to share knowledge with colleagues from all over Europe who are passionate about IP and have the common goal of expanding their horizons beyond domestic jurisprudence. The programme is aimed at increasing knowledge of the proceedings and practice of the EUIPO using the EUIPO´s tools and systems and improving the interaction between the EUIPO and IP practitioners. How could this work better than to get hands-on guidance from EUIPO staff? Not to be underestimated are the networking opportunities in a field of law where we are counting on trustworthy relationships with colleagues from other EU member states. As indicated on the EUIPO’s dedicated website, this is truly learning “from the heart of EU IP knowledge”.

For more information, please visit the European Intellectual Property Office Website.