A CIPA Congress to Remember
What a Congress! For the first time ever, CIPA Congress took place in the breathtaking city of Edinburgh, and what an unforgettable experience it turned out to be. We were thrilled to welcome 173 delegates from across the globe, including USA, Ireland, France, Australia, Israel, China and Argentina. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, enthusiasm, and meaningful conversations.
The UPC-focused programme featured a dynamic line-up, including a UPC judge panel discussion, Industry experiences of opt-outs, Unitary patents and the UPC, and a keynote speech from Christopher Stothers on Transparency at the UPC
Our esteemed speakers delivered thought-provoking sessions that sparked engaging discussions and fresh perspectives. Their contributions were invaluable in making this Congress a resounding success.
A huge thank you goes to our dedicated committee, who worked tirelessly to craft a dynamic and insightful programme. A special thank you to our committee chair, Alexandra Seymour Pierce, whose leadership, passion, and vision ensured everything ran seamlessly.
This year also marked our first-ever pre-event gathering hosted by CIPA’s EDI Committee at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, sponsored by RWS — a fantastic addition that set the perfect tone for networking and collaboration.
We couldn’t have done it without our amazing sponsors. A special thank you to Thomson Reuters, our headline sponsor, and to our exhibitors, Sun IP and RWS, whose generous support helped bring this event to life.
We can’t wait to build on this momentum and make next year’s event even bigger and better. Here’s to another fantastic year ahead!
Highlights from Student Conference 2024
We proudly hosted our largest Student Conference to date in the vibrant city of Birmingham, welcoming an impressive 166 delegates. The day was brimming with fresh ideas, dynamic discussions, and an infectious enthusiasm that set the tone for an unforgettable experience.
The event kicked off in true style with a high-energy entrance from CIPA Executive, Lee Davies, and the 2024 Honorary Secretary, Ashley Tambe, as they strutted onto the stage to the Survivor classic, “Eye of the Tiger.” This set the scene for a day packed with insightful sessions and engaging conversations.
The programme featured a diverse array of thought-provoking topics, from exploring non-traditional career paths and receiving crucial updates on the new EQEs to addressing the vital topic of mental health. The grand finale was the much anticipated and fiercely contested Moot Court, which had everyone on the edge of their seats.
A special and heartfelt thank you goes to Riddhi Patel, whose dedication and meticulous planning ensured a compelling and seamless programme. Her efforts truly made the event shine.
With such an incredible turnout and overwhelmingly positive feedback, we are excited to build on this momentum and make next year’s conference even bigger and better. Here’s to another year of inspiration and growth!
CIPA Life Sciences Conference 2024
The conference, held on 21-22 November 2024 at the De Vere Tortworth Court Hotel in Gloucestershire, featured a comprehensive programme addressing key challenges and emerging trends in IP within the life sciences sector. Delegates engaged in in-depth discussions covering a wide range of topics from IP transactions to cutting-edge technological developments. The first day focused on strategic IP management and global perspectives; while the second day looked at legal developments and emerging trends.
The CIPA Life Sciences Conference continues to be a pivotal event for IP professionals, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and strategic thinking in this rapidly evolving field. The conference underscored the dynamic and complex nature of intellectual property in the life sciences. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging legal frameworks, negotiation strategies, and technological innovations that are shaping the future of IP protection.
As always, the event demonstrated CIPA’s commitment to providing cutting-edge knowledge and supporting professionals at the intersection of intellectual property and scientific innovation.
Paralegal Conference 2024
For the first time, the IP Paralegals Conference was held out of London with this year’s event being held at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham. The highly successful sell-out event was once again hosted by Chief Executive Lee Davies, who compèred with his usual energy and humour whilst delegates enjoyed topics such as updates to Indian patent law, notarisation and legalisation requirements, an interactive session on WIPO’s ePCT search capabilities, as well as the usual updates from the UK IPO and EPO.
Standout sessions were the official launch of the new Advanced Patent Paralegal Course (APPC) which will open for registration in 2025 and the highly interactive session where a motorised helium shark toy flew around the conference room whilst paralegals learnt how to formulate a claim for its innovative properties! Although many paralegals were interested in taking up the advanced course, there was less enthusiasm for taking up claim drafting!
After the conference delegates enjoyed a networking drinks reception with canapés.
The IP Paralegal Committee thanks all the delegates, speakers and sponsors (RWS; ABC Translations; and Sun IP) who supported the event, as well as the dedicated CIPA teams’ invaluable support.
Annemarie Parsons, Chair IP Paralegal Committee
The return of Student Induction Day 2024:
After a brief hiatus, this year marked a highly anticipated return for the Student Induction Day. Hosted at the CIPA office, the event received an impressive turnout becoming fully booked within weeks of the event going live. Due to this demand, an extra date for the event was added in 2025.
The day was expertly chaired by former CIPA President Matt Dixon and featured an esteemed panel of 11 speakers, all dedicated to guiding and mentoring the next generation of patent law professionals. The programme was carefully curated with the invaluable support of Debbie Slater, Rhiddi Patel, and Ashley Tambe, ensuring a well-rounded and insightful experience for attendees.
A Comprehensive Programme
The sessions covered a breadth of essential topics tailored to provide delegates with a strong foundation in patent law. Highlights included:
- Introduction to CIPA EdCom and the UK Qualification System – Debbie Slater (Prevayl Ltd)
- Introduction to EPI and the European Qualification System – Julia Gwilt (Appleyard Lees)
- Mental Health and Wellbeing – Dealing with Challenges During Training – Darren Smyth (EIP Europe LLP)
- Panel session featuring recent student members and newly qualified professionals: Sophie Knott (Murgitroyd)
- Nickeal Sidhu (Elkington + Fife LLP)
- Elinor Northey (Syngenta)
- Erin Turner (Kilburn & Strode)
Enhancing the Experience
For the first time at the Student Induction Day, a dedicated event app was utilised to significantly enhance the engagement and accessibility of the conference. This innovation allowed delegates to participate in live polling during panel sessions, access presentation materials with ease, and navigate the day’s schedule efficiently.
Understanding the challenges of early morning travel, the event was fully catered, ensuring that delegates had access to breakfast, a well-provisioned lunch, and refreshments during the drink’s reception, fostering further networking opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The success of the Student Induction Day 2024 underscores the importance of this event in equipping new trainees with the knowledge and connections essential for their journey in patent law. The exceptional turnout and engagement have set a promising precedent for the additional session in February and for future iterations of the event.
We extend our gratitude to all speakers, organisers, and attendees for making this event a tremendous success. With continued dedication and innovation, we look forward to further strengthening the experience for years to come.
