http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/08/new-eeqe-consultation-ends-31-august.html
The EPO and epi have joined forces to propose a radical shake-up of the examinations to become a qualified patent attorney. A consultation on the proposal ends today (31 August 2022) (IPKat).
Full details of the proposal, together with the consultation questionnaire can be found here. The questionnaire takes approximately 25 minutes and is a mixture of multiple choice and free text questions.
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To answer the questionnaire, it is first necessary to take a look at the specifics of the proposal. Underlying the new system is a list of “competencies” that the EPO/epi have identified as necessary for qualification as a European patent attorney. These competencies are listed in the proposal and are intended to cover the technical skills and knowledge required to be a patent attorney (“specific competencies”) as well as more general skills such as the ability to work with large amounts of information under time pressure (“transversal competences”). The consultation questionnaire asks whether any competencies have been missed from the list.
The questionnaire goes on to ask about the new modular approach and the levels of difficulties in the various modules. Example papers can be found here. There are also general questions about the online format of the examinations.
Successful reform of the European patent qualifying examinations is going to require engagement and feedback from the profession. The comments we receive here on IPKat whenever there is a post relating to the exams reveals the strength of feeling surrounding the form and structure of patent qualifying examinations. The EPO/epi proposal and the current consultation is a rare opportunity for those frustrated with the current system to contribute to radical reform.
Further reading
EPO plans radical shake-up of EQEs 2024 onwards (13 April 2021)
Have your say on the new EQE proposal! (19 July 2022)
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