Patent agents change name after 124 years

Published: 2 June 2006
By: Ted Blake

Following approval from the Privy Council The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (the professional body representing patent practitioners in the UK) has changed its name to The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA).

CIPA President Barry Treves said:

“This change means that the official name of the Institute is now much more appropriate given the truly international aspects of our profession. Back in 1882 when the Institute was formed, the title patent agent was in use, and it remains a respected title, but with the passage of time members have adopted the term patent attorney which is the title used by patent practitioners throughout the rest of the English-speaking world. The members of the Institute  deal every day with the very latest technological ideas which emanate from the four corners of the world, so we must move with the times no matter how proud we are of our history”.

Background

Founded in 1882, the Institute was granted its first Charter in 1891. In addition to the name change, the Privy Council have approved other modernising changes including some which make it easier for members to participate in the Institute’s affairs no matter where they are located.

The majority of patent applications in the UK and Europe are submitted by Patent Attorneys on behalf of clients. Entry on the professional Register provides patent attorneys with the right to conduct litigation and to act as advocates in the Patents County Court. Fellows of CIPA can also acquire an additional qualification (Litigator’s Certificate) entitling them also to conduct litigation in the Chancery Division of the High Court (including the Patents Court) and to conduct appeals from the Patents County Court, the County Court and the Chancery Division of the High Court in respect of Intellectual Property litigation.