European Patent Office

In September 2003, the MIPLC and the European Patent Office concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate close cooperation between the two institutions. Since the EPO's European Patent Academy is the body in charge of promoting the EPO's objectives with regard to IP training, the cooperation was established between the Academy and the MIPLC.

The agreement foresees, inter alia, the following joint activities: exchange of IP documentation and IP publications; exchange of experts; and, collaboration on specific projects, such as ECAP II. With regard to the LL.M. IP program the cooperation includes: members of the Boards of Appeal teaching in courses; study visits to the EPO; students attending oral hearings; and the placement of students for their internship.

A new level of cooperation was reached when the MIPLC and the European Patent Academy co-hosted two conferences: the last conference of the 7th EIPIN Congress, which took place on April 28-30, 2006, and, in cooperation with the Creative and Innovative Economy Center of the GWU Law School (CIEC) and the US Patent and Trademark Office, the "Judicial Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights" on September 11-13, 2006.