The Institute of Trademark Attorneys: News

ITMA Members & RTMA's - ITMA Draft Consultation Paper

2008-07-02T12:00:00+01:00

Dear Members and RTMA's,

During my term as President the reform of our education system was a key theme. I am pleased that the current President, Gillian Deas, has allowed me to continue to work on this issue, along with Robert Furneaux and the Education & Training Committee.

Education – and the problems it poses – has been debated regularly over the many years. The changing regulatory landscape means that the pressure is on ITMA, more than ever before, to address the issues and to take meaningful steps to put in place a qualification system that will meet the needs of the profession and the consumer alike. It is also an opportunity for us to ensure that our professions can claim to be the best qualified Trade Mark Attorneys in Europe.

In the consultation paper (available below) we propose some significant changes to our arrangements which we believe will enable us to meet these challenges. Please take the time to read it and let us have your views.

Yours Faithfully,

Mr. Philip Harris
Immediate Past President

tm@itma.org.uk

What's in a name? Find out in Bradford on 10th July, 2008

2008-06-25T12:00:00+01:00

ITMA – the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys - will be exhibiting at the FREE Business Advice Open Day at the Cedar Court Hotel, Mayo Avenue, off Rooley Lane, Bradford between 9.15 am and 4.00 pm on Thursday 10 July.

Words, names, product and package shapes, sounds and smells can all be trade marks. Discover the various forms of trade marks – the mark that distinguishes your goods or services from others – and hear all about the world of trade marks.

Why bother with a trade mark at all? Ask that of Coca Cola, McDonalds, Nike, and millions of other companies all around the world, and they will tell you it’s one of their greatest assets; worth thousands, millions, even billions of pounds.

Come and talk to us to find out what you need to do to protect these valuable assets and how ITMA can help. At least you should be aware of the world of trade marks and what they can mean to you.

For instance, did you know that registering your name at Companies House does NOT give you any trade mark protection? And did you know that it could cost you a lot of money and heartache to ignore trade mark issues?

Probably not - so come and find out how you can avoid or minimise those dangers. It could save you money as well as setting your business off on the right track!

NOTES FOR EDITORS

2. Currently ITMA has approximately 500 practising members; it also extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law and overseas membership to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership (all classes) is about 1600 members, primarily located in the United Kingdom and Europe, but also in more than 50 other countries.

3. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk

4. The Business Advice Days programme is the largest, cross government business support roadshow of its kind, dedicated to providing free information and support to business. It is organised by HM Revenue & Customs. For more information visit www.businessadviceday.gov.uk

Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

What's in a name? Find out in Cumbria on 1st, 2nd and 3rd July

2008-06-20T12:00:00+01:00

ITMA – the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys - will be exhibiting at the FREE Business Advice Open Days in Cumbria on 1st. 2nd, and 3rd July at the following venues: on the 1st July at the Abbey House Hotel, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness; on the 2nd July at Hunday Manor Country House, Hunday, Workington and on the 3rd July at Carlisle Racecourse, Durdar Road, Carlisle. All exhibitions are open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.

And if you think it’s only for big companies, just think where they started – from little Acorns do giant Oaks grow. You expect your new business to succeed. Your name; your identity, is all part of that and as you grow, so too will the value of your trade mark.
Come and talk to us to find out what you need to do to protect these valuable assets and how ITMA can help. At least you should be aware of the world of trade marks and what they can mean to you.

Probably not - so come and find out how you can avoid or minimise those dangers. It could save you money as well as setting your business off on the right track!

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

Michael Heap appointed Chairman of the Intellectual Property Regulation Board

2008-06-03T12:00:00+01:00

Michael Heap said that he was “delighted to be appointed. It was a unique appointment because unlike other regulators which have been set up following the Legal Services Act, he would have responsibility for two professions, both with a long and distinguished history as well a vital role in industry and commerce. He looked forward to the challenge”.

Gillian Deas, President of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, said: “I welcome Michael Heap’s appointment and look forward to working with him to ensure the independent and proportionate regulation of the professions.”

David Bradley, President of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys said: “I also welcome Michael Heap’s appointment. He will bring to bear the independence of someone from outside the professions but with some very relevant knowledge and experience of regulation as well as organizational change which will stand him and us in good stead”

Michael Heap’s background is in the justice system and professional regulation. He qualified as a barrister in 1975 and holds an MBA. He served as a justice’s clerk and chief executive in South Wales before taking up the post of Chief Executive of the Greater London Courts Authority. His experience encompasses organizational development, a number of regulatory enquiries and he was Director of |development at the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Notes for Editors

1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys and the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys are the two professions directly involved in obtaining and defending intellectual property rights in the United Kingdom. Both are Approved Regulators under the Legal Services Act, but because of their common interests and the same client base they decided to set up a joint regulator which could regulate both professions and therefore the Intellectual Property Regulation Board was set up.

2. Michael Heap was appointed after an open competition which applied the Nolan principles.

3. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) was established in 1934 as the professional body representing those persons qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and allied intellectual property rights (in particular, registered designs) both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark agents and all UK Trade Mark & Design Litigators.

4. Currently ITMA has approximately 500 practising members; it also extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law and overseas membership to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership (all classes) is about 1600 members, primarily located in the United Kingdom and Europe, but also in more than 50 other countries.

5. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk.

Press Enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

UK Trade Mark Attorneys in the Heart of Europe

2008-06-02T12:00:00+01:00

The British Ambassador to Germany, Sir Michael Arthur, gave a keynote address using the impressively modern architecture of the Embassy building to demonstrate how Britain is both at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and design and at the heart of Europe. He said that the UK's trade mark profession, in the form of ITMA, was a pivotal gateway to Europe for non-EU countries wishing to protect their trade marks in Europe through the Community Trade Mark (CTM) system and, worldwide, through the International Registration system of the Madrid Protocol.

ITMA President, Gillian Deas, added: "The UK has many advantages over our European counterparts in protecting trade marks. For instance, the UK is one of the very few countries that require its members to pass stringent professional examinations. Once qualified, we ensure they keep up to date with compulsory continuing professional development. We have extensive dealings with the regulatory authorities, not only in the UK (UK-IPO), but also in Europe (OHIM) and worldwide through WIPO, all bodies that use English as their dominant language which clearly puts the UK profession at an advantage."

"We firmly believe the UK Profession is the best in the world and that we are best placed to help overseas colleagues register and protect their clients' trade marks. It is for these reasons that we co-hosted the reception at the British Embassy and were delighted that the Ambassador agreed to speak. His presence was greatly appreciated and proved immensely popular."

"In recent years ITMA has sent delegations to Japan, China and the USA to make presentations outlining the advantages of using UK professionals. Building on those visits we directed our invitations to the professional bodies of those countries and were delighted that so many attended. We were also pleased to see so many colleagues from around the globe including, Korea, Australia, India, South Africa and New Zealand. I am confident we will see many of them at future conferences including out Autumn Conference scheduled for 25th and 26th September in Alicante."

NOTES FOR EDITORS

4. UK-IPO is the UK Intellectual Property Office, the official government body responsible for granting Intellectual Property (IP-trade marks, patents, designs and copyright) in the UK. OHIM is the Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market whose task is to register Community Trade Marks and Community Designs and WIPO is the World Intellectual Property Office, responsible for the promotion of IP throughout the world.

Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

What's in a name? Find out in Reading on 12th June, 2008

2008-05-22T12:00:00+01:00

ITMA - The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys - will be exhibiting at the FREE Business Advice Open Day at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre at the Madjeski Stadium, Reding, between 9.00am and 4.00pm on Thursday 12th June.

Words, names product and package shapes, sounds and smells can all be trade marks. Discover the various forms of trade marks - the mark that distinguishes your goods or services from others - and hear all about the world of trade marks.

Why bother with a trade mark at all? Ask that of Coca Cola, McDonalds, Nike and millions of other companies all around the world, and they will tell you it's one of their greatest assets; worth thousands, millions and even billions of pounds.

And if you think it's only big companies, just think where they started - from little Acorns do giant Oaks grow. You expect your business to succeed, Your name; your identity; is all part of that and as you grow, so too will the value of your trade mark.

Come and talk to us to find out what you need to do to protect these valuable assests and how ITMA can help. At least you should be aware of the world of trade marks and what they can mean to you.

For instance, did you know that registering your name at Companies House does NOT give you any trade mark protection? And did you know that it could cost you a lot of money and heatache to ignore trade mark issues?

Probably no - so come and find out how you can avoid or minimise those dangers. It could save you money as well as setting your business off on the right track!

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For more information visit www.businessadviceday.gov.uk. Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

What's in a name? Find out at the Aviator, Sywell Aerodome, Sywell Northampton on 15th May 2008

2008-05-01T12:00:00+01:00

If you have ever wondered what trade marks mean in the business world, you will soon have a chance to find out.

ITMA – the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys - will be exhibiting at the FREE Business Advice Open Day at the Aviator, Sywell Aerodrome, Sywell, Northampton between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm on Thursday 15^th May.

Come and talk to us to find out what you need to do to protect these valuable assets and how ITMA can help. At least you should be aware of the world of trade marks and what they can mean to you.

Probably not - so come and find out how you can avoid or minimise those dangers. It could save you money as well as setting your business off on the right track!

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) was established in 1934 as the professional body representing those persons qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and allied intellectual property rights (in particular, registered designs) both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark agents and all UK Trade Mark & Design Litigators. 2. Currently ITMA has approximately 500 practising members; it also extends associate membership to professionals in related fields of law and overseas membership to foreign trade mark attorneys. Its total membership (all classes) is about 1600 members, primarily located in the United Kingdom and Europe, but also in more than 50 other countries. 3. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk. 4. The Business Advice Days programme is the largest, cross government business support roadshow of its kind, dedicated to providing free information and support to business. It is organised by HM Revenue & Customs. For more information visit www.businessadviceday.gov.uk. Press and interview enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

New President Aims to put ITMA firmly on the International Stage

2008-04-25T12:00:00+01:00

Speaking at the inaugural President’s dinner on the eve of World Intellectual Property Day, Gillian said:

“For the UK profession to flourish and grow, I believe we need to build on the strengths and qualities we already have in the UK and take those skills to the wider world. In particular we need to demonstrate that the UK profession is ideally placed to be the Gateway to Europe for international businesses seeking trade mark protection in the EU.”

“In my two year Presidency I aim to continue with our programme of overseas visits, focusing on the Far East markets of China and Japan but extending them to other regions such as South Korea. This programme will be augmented by the reception we are hosting in the British Embassy in Berlin next month (19 May) during the International Trademark Conference which attracts seven or eight thousand delegates annually from all over the Globe.”

“In the same vein we will be looking to increase our influence with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) based in Geneva so that we have more input into the operations of WIPO and the international treaties that are the backbone of international trade mark protection. In this respect, I shall hope to lobby them to speed up their operations; to clarify systems of notification and to strengthen users’ rights.”

“We already have excellent relations with the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), and OHIM (the Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market) which is responsible for EU Community Trade Mark (CTM) registrations. Improving relations with WIPO is a natural extension of international co-operation and we will be looking at other organizations worldwide where our influence can come to bear, not only for the good of the UK profession, but also for the UK consumer.”

“On the internal front, I shall be looking at ways of improving the Institute’s services to members. During my Presidency I shall be exploring whether the Institute office can be re-located closer to the majority of members whilst maintaining the excellent staffing levels. We have just introduced a new website (www.itma.org.uk) which gives the public easier access to members in the UK and improves our service to members and we have set up a special group to look at improving benefits to members.”

“These are just a few of the initiatives I hope to carry out in my term as President. As the second female President in the history of the Institute I relish this opportunity at a time when the profession is facing many changes because of the reforms in the regulation of legal services. These changes bring challenges of their own and I am grateful for the continued support of my predecessors, latterly Phil Harris and formerly Stephen James and Ian Buchan, who were instrumental in putting in place many of the procedures required to implement the reforms and who continue to work tirelessly to see them through.”

“Finally, I have to thank my firm, D Young and Co who has endorsed my rise through the Institute ranks to the exalted heights of President. My colleagues are well aware that this new role places many demands on my time and energy and I thank them for their forebearance and support”

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Gillian Deas joined D Young & Co in 1997 and became a Partner in 2004. D Young & Co have offices in London and Southampton and are specialists in trade marks, patents, designs and copyright and have over 200 employees. Gillian, who used to work in the Southampton office, has been working in London for the last two years. Previously, she had many years in-house trade mark experience with Shell Oil Company with responsibility globally for protecting their petrochemical trade marks. She also has experience in-house in a multi-national tobacco company.

Gillian was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys in 2002 having qualified as a Member in 1980. She became a European Trade Mark Attorney on the advent of the Community Trade Mark System in 1996 and a European Design Attorney on the advent of the Community Design System in 2003.

Gillian has a 25 year old daughter, Kirsty, who is a psychologist, and lives near Winchester.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

3. ITMA is regularly consulted by UK government and by international bodies when questions affecting trade mark and allied intellectual property rights arise. It has regular meetings with the UK Intellectual Property Office, the Community Trade Marks Office (OHIM), and other sister organisations in Europe and beyond. For more information visit www.itma.org.uk.

Press Enquiries to Ken Storey, PR Manager, Tel: 020 8941 6079 or Mobile 07710 434 507.

Gillian Deas, ITMA's new President to outline plans for next two years at President's Dinner - 25th April

2008-04-16T12:00:00+01:00

Gillian Deas will be outlining her plans for the next two years at the inaugural President's Dinner on Friday, 25th April at Le Meridien Hotel, 21 Piccadilly, London at 7.00pm. Tickets cost £95 plus VAT and can be obtained from the ITMA office.

2007 JEB Exam Results and relevant notices

2008-03-31T12:00:00+01:00