20 reasons to join FICPI
FICPI IS ACTING FOR THE IP PROFESSION: YOUR PROFESSION – WORLDWIDE
1. FICPI represents intellectual property professionals worldwide.
2. FICPI is the only international IP organisation with members drawn solely from IP attorneys in private practice.
3. FICPI has been established for over 100 years and has approximately 5,000 members from more than 80 countries and regions - a truly global body representing the free IP profession.
4. FICPI’s views are respected by the IP authorities because they appreciate that FICPI speaks with the experience of the entire free IP profession, representing a wide range of users from individuals and SMEs to multi-national industries, as well as universities, governmental and non-governmental organisations and other institutions – applicants and third parties alike.
5. FICPI promotes the essential role of IP professionals in an efficient IP system. FICPI is your voice for advocating the need for a well-qualified and experienced IP profession in all countries and regions for the benefit of all parties and, as such, needs your support and participation.
ADDING TO YOUR CREDIBILITY AS AN IP PRACTITIONER
6. FICPI members are exceptionally trained professionals, highly motivated and independent in spirit.
7. FICPI is committed to promoting the credibility of members and standards within the profession of IP attorneys in private practice worldwide.
8. Through strict admission criteria and a code of professional conduct for all members, FICPI upholds a high level of excellence and knowledge in IP systems - the benchmark for FICPI members.
9. Being a FICPI member will distinguish you as an IP practitioner who is properly qualified and experienced to act before the IP authorities in your country.
CONNECTING THE WORLD’S IP PROFESSIONALS
10. FICPI arranges a Congress every 3rd year, and Forums and other Symposiums in the intervening years, where FICPI members interact in an environment created to bring like-minded IP professionals together.
11. Being a FICPI member will give you access to FICPI member details, enabling you to identify and cooperate with IP colleagues in other countries across the globe.
12. FICPI promotes and nurtures international cooperation amongst the best IP attorneys in private practice around the World and promotes the sharing of information and business relations between members.
A BALANCED APPROACH TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF IP USERS WORLDWIDE
13. FICPI meets regularly with the heads and senior officers of IP offices in Europe, Japan, China, Korea and the USA, as well as the European Commission, WIPO, WTO and OHIM, to discuss the functioning of the IP system and proposed new laws, treaties, regulations and practices from the perspective of the IP attorneys who represent the majority of users, and is planning to extend these to other IP offices.
14. FICPI is recognised and respected by the IP authorities as the voice of the IP profession worldwide.
15. FICPI has promoted, influenced and brought about improvements to IP laws and treaties and is actively involved in the patent, trade mark and design law harmonisation process.
16. FICPI provides comments on newly proposed international and national IP legislation and practices.
The aim is to maintain an efficient, well balanced and effective system of intellectual property protection to benefit all users, and to ensure recognition of the need for well-qualified IP attorneys in private practice to enable the system to work.
PROVIDING LEGAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN IP
17. FICPI reports to its members with regular newsletters on the latest updates in the IP world to ensure that they can adapt their practices as and when required. This is a huge advantage which other IP organisations cannot offer because their members come from a diverse range of individuals, and industries, who do not share a common practice background like FICPI members. FICPI is the only organisation that represents the free IP profession at the international level.
18. Where possible FICPI ensures that its Forums and Symposiums enable members who require Continued Legal Education points to benefit from attending these events.
19. FICPI provides annual high level patent drafting training courses in Europe and South East Asia and plans to extend its training activities to other regions and countries in the future.
20. Members can participate in FICPI’s Study and Work Commission (CET) which is divided into various specialist groups. This allows members to interact on an international level in relation to studying and commenting on specialist areas and current issues relevant to users of IP systems nationally, regionally and internationally.
