Registration is now open for the 2014/2015 EuroSEAD course.
FICPI's unique and time proven training courses emphasize the preparation of patent specifications and claims from an international perspective, with input from tutors from Europe, Australia, the US and Japan (see below for more details). EuroSEAD has been presented successfully every year since 1999.
The upcoming EuroSEAD course will be of particular benefit to those who have recently entered the profession. as well as to those who wish to improve their drafting skills in preparation for national and European examinations.
The course will take place at Peterhouse, Cambridge University (Great Britain) from 15-19 September 2014 and 23-27 March 2015.
Information about the course is available for download here:
The EuroSEAD Course Tutors
The EuroSEAD course tutors bring a truly international perspective to patent drafting. Our tutors come from Europe, Japan and the USA. Six of the following eight FICPI tutors will be present during each segment of the course.
Dr. Axel von Hellfeld (Germany). Course Co-ordinator. Axel von Hellfeld is Senior Partner of WUESTHOFF & WUESTHOFF, Munich. He studied physics in Göttingen, Hamburg and at Dartmouth College, USA and qualified as a patent attorney in 1983. He has extensive experience in representing clients before the German and European Patent Offices and in infringement suits before various German Courts. He teaches patent law at a German University, is involved in the training of German patent attorneys, and is a frequent lecturer worldwide on various IP topics, including software protection.
Leon Allen (Australia) – is a patent attorney and a partner of the firm DAVIES COLLISION CAVE in Melbourne, Australia. His technical background is physics. He has over 20 years of experience in the preparation of patent applications, opposition proceedings, and infringement actions for enforcement of patents.
Jérôme Collin (France) – is a partner of Cabinet REGIMBEAU, Paris. He studied fundamental and applied physics and has a special background in software and systems of mobile communication. He is involved both in patent prosecution and litigation. He has a strong involvement in the training of future IP professionals. He lectures at the "Grandes Ecoles" and universities and served for many years as a tutor for European Patent Institute (epi).
Joseph A. Kolasch (USA) is a founding partner of BIRCH, STEWART, KOLASCH & BIRCH, Washington D.C. area, one of the leading IP Law Firms in the USA. He has a technical background in chemical engineering and more than 40 years of experience in IP, specializing in chemical, mechanical and design patents, and trade¬marks. He is past president of the Patent Lawyers Club of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Peter Kolker (United Kingdom) retired from his position as Intellectual Property Manager of ZENECA and is now an independent consultant in IP matters. He is a British Chartered Patent Agent and a European patent attorney. He holds a D Phil. in chemistry from Oxford University. He was chairman of the Patents Panel of the Chemical Industries Association, a former chairman of the ABPI IP Committee and a member of the EFPIA patents working party. He is the author of “Global Patent Law” (PJB Publications, London 1998).
Kay Konishi (Japan) is a graduate of Waseda University and joined MIYOSHI & MIYOSHI in 1996 as a patent attorney. She is currently a partner in the firm and her specialities include information processing, computer systems, and telecommunications. She is a frequent lecturer on patent law at international conferences.
Dr. Shoichi Okuyama (Japan) is a partner of OKUYAMA & CO, Tokyo. He has a first degree in both engineering (specialisation: electronics) and chemistry and obtained a Ph.D. in theoretical physical chemistry at the James Frank Institute in Chicago. He has now more than 15 years of experience as a Japanese patent attorney. He is currently a board member of AIPPI Japan and LES Japan, and also a member of APAA. He is a working group leader of the case law study group of AIPPI, Japan.
Steffen Schmidt (Germany) is a partner of WUESTHOFF & WUESTHOFF, Munich. He qualified as a European Patent Attorney in 1991 after first gaining a degree in electrical engineering and computer science. He currently specialises in prosecuting patents in electronics, telecommunications, software technology, electrical/ mechanical engineering as well as aerospace. He was a member of the Examination Committee for the European qualifying examination for many years.
Course Structure
The course follows the successful format initially developed for use at the SEAD course in Singapore in 1997 and adapted for use in Australia and Europe in 1999. The course consists of three (3) segments.
- A series of tutorials and workshops to be presented over five (5) days from Monday to Friday,15-19 September 2014.
- Preparation of answers to four (4) drafting exercises over the following months by correspondence (one exercise approximately every four weeks). These will be assessed by the tutors and written comments sent to the students.
- A second series of tutorials and workshops to be presented over five (5) days from Monday to Friday, 23-27 March 2015.
