Programme areas
The Institutional Strengthening unit focuses specifically on the staff training needs of national patent offices. It also supports and promotes training for staff of government institutions and other public-sector employees. The unit mainly focuses on present and future member states, but also welcomes trainees from non-member states.
The Professional Representatives unit co-ordinates and supports training for professional representatives, not only as they start out on their chosen career but also in their continuing development.
The Innovation Support unit informs industry and policy-makers about how to make the most of the intellectual property system and develop good patent strategies. The unit's training is ultimately directed at businesses, especially new, small or medium-sized enterprises.
The Judicial Training unit supports and develops training initiatives for judges and other legal professionals aimed at harmonising patent enforcement and litigation practice in Europe.
The Academia unit raises awareness of intellectual property in educational institutions and explains how to use the patent system to support innovation. The unit mainly focuses on students, professors, teachers and staff of technology transfer offices.
The Academy is building on partnerships with other organisations to realise its objectives and promote and support the spread of patent-related knowledge throughout Europe.
The Academy seeks to assist its partners where invited and to complement existing training initiatives in current and future contracting states of the European Patent convention (EPC), according to the principles of complementarity and subsidiarity.