The Patent Administrator

This course will give you a comprehensive introduction to the role of the Patent Administrator. It is a highly complex area due to many different procedures across different patent offices. This course will demystify these procedures and filing requirements in key jurisdictions, and will improve your knowledge and your skills so you can work more efficiently and excel in your role.

Topics to be covered include:

• Introduction to patents
• Understanding filing procedures and systems
• Electronic filing (including hands-on exercises and demonstrations)
• Handling post-filing communications from national and international offices
• Renewing your patents
• Recording assignments and name changes
• Overview of licences and royalties
• Obtaining and using patent information

• Gain an invaluable introduction to working with patents
• Achieve a greater understanding of patent administration and where your role sits within the team
• Improve your understanding of the filing requirements in key jurisdictions – what to do and when
• Learn about electronic filing at WIPO and the EPO via practical exercises and demonstrations
• Understand how to calculate renewal payments – how to pay and when

This seminar is designed especially for those new to the role, or with little experience of patent administration, and those looking for more training to extend their knowledge, including:

• Patent administrators and assistants
• Formalities administrators
• Other IP support staff

This event offers a valuable networking opportunity with others in similar roles from different organisations and countries.

Introduction to patents

• Registered and unregistered rights
• What is a patent?
• Why apply for a patent?
• How long will it last?

Organisation of the IP department

• Composition of the team
• Your role within the team
• Differences between private practice and industry

Filing procedures and systems

• International conventions
• National patent systems
• International patent systems
• Stages of a patent application
• Requirements for filing applications
  • Nationally
  • At the EPO
  • At WIPO
• Electronic filing – EPOline
• Electronic filing demonstration – EPO CMS
• Record keeping/working with your in-house system
• Practical exercise

Post-filing communications

• Due dates and deadlines
  • GB applications
  • European applications
  • Divisional applications
  • PCT applications
  • Euro-PCT applications
• Calculation of dates
• Practical exercise

Renewals

• How are renewal fees calculated?
• When can you pay renewals?
• How can you pay renewals?
• Practical exercise

Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC’s)

• What are SPCs?
• When are SPCs applicable?
• Brief overview of how SPCs work

Assignments and name changes

• Why is an assignment required?
• Recording an assignment
• Recording a name change

Licences and royalties

• What is a licence?
• Why license your patents?

Patent information

• Useful literature
• Useful websites
• Products and services of the EPO, UKIPO, WIPO