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Institutional strengthening
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Target audience
The Institutional Strengthening unit focuses specifically on the staff training needs of national patent offices. It also supports and promotes training for employees of government institutions and other public-sector workers.
Priority is given to trainees from the present and future member states of the European Patent Organisation, tailoring its training programmes to meet the various participants' differing educational requirements.
The unit also implements training within the Office's international co-operation framework for third countries, and welcomes trainees from non-member states.
Getting the message across
The Institutional Strengthening unit has the considerable expertise of the Office staff at its disposal, which complements the know-how coming from national patent offices and/or external consultants. Together, they deliver training on a range of topics covering the whole patent granting process, from formalities procedures, prior art searching and substantive examination to post-grant matters, such as opposition. The trainees attending such courses build long-lasting working relationships, thereby strengthening the bonds of co-operation within the European Patent Network.
Training on the legal aspects of the European patent system and on international intellectual property agreements and treaties is also provided through this unit. Further subjects include national patent-related IP policies, topical patent protection issues and the economic value of patents.
How the Academy makes a difference
Within this framework, training is leading to a better understanding of the European Patent Organisation and the European Patent Office among other national patent offices and government institutions.
The Institutional Strengthening unit fosters joint initiatives and administers dedicated co-operation programmes between the European Patent Office and the national patent offices. Best training practices are identified and disseminated among the partners to facilitate the exchange of expertise and enable offices to learn from one another. Its work is of particular benefit to those countries that have recently joined the European Patent Organisation.