Victoria offers accredited courses for patent attorneys

27 February 2017

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Victoria offers accredited courses for patent attorneys

In a first for a New Zealand university, Victoria University of Wellington’s Faculty of Law is now offering accredited courses under the new trans-Tasman patent attorney registration scheme.

Commencing on 24 February 2017, the new scheme merges the New Zealand and Australian regulatory regimes for patent attorneys, allowing them to practice in both jurisdictions.

Completing a series of courses accredited by the Professional Standards Board (PSB), such as those offered by Victoria University, is compulsory to qualify under the new scheme.

Professor Susy Frankel, an expert in intellectual property law, says that providing world-class postgraduate training in support of New Zealand’s legal profession is a priority for Victoria’s Faculty of Law.

“Victoria’s courses enable those wishing to become registered patent attorneys to do so at a New Zealand university.

“The robust provision of specialist advice regarding intellectual property can help support and drive innovation. Patent attorneys play an important role in ensuring businesses know how to protect their IP assets, making it worthwhile to invest in areas such as research and development, and helping enable consumer trust.”

The accredited courses offered in 2017, which can be taken alone or as part of a Master of Laws degree, are:

LAWS 551 New Zealand & Australian Intellectual Property Law

Satisfies Topic Group A2 of the accreditation requirements for trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys.

INTENSIVE: 18 and 25 March, 9.30am –4.30pm, Wellington

LAWS 536 Trade Mark Law & Unfair Competition

Satisfies Topic Group C of the accreditation requirements for trans-Tasman Patent Attorneys.

INTENSIVE: 4, 5, 8 and 9 May, 9.30am – 4.30pm, Wellington

LAWS 537 Patent Law

This course is currently in the process of obtaining accreditation.

BLOCK: 19 and 20 July and 2, 3, 9, 10, 23 and 24 Aug, 4.40 – 7.30pm, Wellington and Auckland

For information on enrolling in the above courses, contact Jonathan Dempsey (Postgraduate Administrator) at jonathan.dempsey@vuw.ac.nz. Applications for block and intensive courses may be accepted until a few days prior to the course commencing – but it’s best to apply early.

More information about how to become a patent attorney under the new trans-Tasman regime is available from the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys and the Professional Standards Board for Patent and Trade Marks Attorneys.

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