In October 2003, a survey on Professional representation in the current 25 EU Member States was published in the ECTA Newsletter No. 48.

One of the main points of interest of the survey was whether a qualifying examination was required to become an IP Professional Representative in trade marks and designs.

The survey concluded that out of the twenty-five Member Countries, sixteen required a qualifying examination.

ECTA has always been in favor of harmonization of professional qualification and believe that the syllabus of examinations should include European Law and Practice. In order to determine the degree of harmonization of the existing examinations, the Professional Affairs Committee has carried out a comparative study of the respective syllabi in each of the following member states: Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom.

In light of the above, this survey is aimed at determining the contents of each examination.

As a conclusion, it could be stated that all the Countries requiring a formal examination to become a professional representative demand written and oral tests covering both National and International parts, with special attention to the EC Directives and Regulations. Unfortunately only few of them (Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Spain), apart from the national mother language, require that the examinee must prove to know other languages.

ECTA considers that efforts should continue towards a qualified profession in all the
-present and future- European Union Member States.

To enter the survey, please click here.

Eva Fiammenghi
Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee.