The Informals Committee represents the institute’s student body. In 2024, particular thanks go to Ashley Tambe for his work throughout the year as Honorary Secretary and Epseeta Chowdhury, Yellow Sheet Editor. Among Ashley’s responsiblities were representing the committee during meetings of CIPA Council and co-hosting the Student Conference with CEO Lee Davies.
Brainscape
In 2024, the Informals Committee launched FD1 flashcards on Brainscape, designed to help trainee patent attorneys with the FD1 exam. Brainscape is an innovative study app that uses scientifically proven techniques to help students learn faster and retain information longer. It uses a smart flashcard system that adapts to your learning speed, focusing on the areas where you need the most improvement. This makes it perfect for mastering the complex topics covered in patent law exams. Whether you’re brushing up on key concepts or drilling down into the finer points of patent law, these flashcards are an invaluable resource for your journey to becoming a qualified patent attorney. By the end of 2024, there were over 200 users. It is now the committee’s job to continuously update the cards based on feedback and in response to law changes.
Students Handbook and the Yellow Sheet Blog
During 2024 important work was carried out on updating the handbook for Student members and keeping Student members informed via their blog, The Yellow Sheet. The handbook is a go-to guide for new trainee patent attorneys. It aims to help them discover what CIPA and the Informals are all about and to learn how they can get involved and make the most of their membership. There are training tips guiding trainees to essential information and resources to help navigate the early years of their patent profession journey. See full details here.
Education, social and other activities
Other notable activities of the Informals in 2024 are listed below:
- Organised the tutorial schemes for trainees who are sitting the EQE and UK final exams.
- Arranged the annual visit to the IPO for trainee patent attorneys to see the inner workings of the office and gain some practical insights into the profession. The visit included sessions on how the IPO assesses inventive step, a claims drafting workshop, and an informal discussion with a UK examiner.
- The team of regional social secretaries organised a wide range of gatherings throughout the UK. Highlights included: go-karting in Scotland; quiz and game nights at CIPA’s office in London; food and drinks in Southampton (plus baseball), Nottingham (plus golf), Oxford, and London. The last London event of 2024 was a great success with over 50 trainees from 26 different organisations attending.
- The CIPA Student Conference made its third appearance, this time in Birmingham with more than 160 delegates. Special thanks to the conference organiser Riddhi Patel, Joel David Briscoe ensuring the return of the moot court, and Ashley Tambe for hosting. A full report was published in the CIPA Journal.
- The annual five-a-side football tournament was attended by a record number of teams. A full report is published here.
- The IP Survival Guide Podcast was launched in May 2024. Tailored to the interest and concerns of trainees the podcast provides a platform for learning, sharing insights and fostering professional growth.
- Last but not least, the Informals set up yoga sessions – an opportunity to unwind, de-stress, and reconnect with the present moment amid the trials and tribulations of patent law.