Trade Mark Agent: All our professional staff are qualified in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents (CDPA) 1988 to act as trade mark agents before the UK Trade Marks Registry.
Certificate in Intellectual Property: The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) recognises courses for the Certificate in Intellectual Property Law run by Queen Mary College, University of London, The University of Manchester, Brunel University and Bournemouth University. These are generally full time courses of approximatly 3 months teaching followed by an examination. These courses exempt persons from the foundation level examinations, part of the requirement for becoming a registered trade mark agent.
Member of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (MITMA): The UK Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) has several classes of membership, including students, associates. Persons who are already entered on the list of registered trade mark agents, can also subscribe to be a member or fellow of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, which entitles them to use the qualification MITMA or FITMA as appropriate. Members of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys are bound by the code of practise of ITMA in their dealings with the public.
Registered Trade Mark Agent/Attorney (RTMA): The UK Trade Marks Registry keeps a register of Trade Mark Agents (also known as Trade Mark Attorneys) who are permitted to use the Trade Mark Attorney (Trade Mark Agent) title in the UK. In order to be entered onto that register, persons need to pass a set of foundation level exam papers concerning UK Trade Mark Law; Designs Law; English Law, as well as a set of more difficult finals papers. There is no experience requirement required to be a Registered Trade Mark Agent/Attorney, although in practise, most registered Trade Mark Agents/Attorneys have at least some experience in the profession before entry onto the register.
Trade Mark Litigator: Recently, a new qualification of UK Trade Mark Litigator has been created. Trade Mark Litigators are persons, who in addition to their normal rights of audience before the UK Trade Marks Office have additional rights, to represent clients before the UK High Court in Trade Mark matters. In order to become a Trade Mark Litigator, candidates must already be a Registered Trade Mark Attorney, must pass a two year LLM Law degree conducted by Nottingham Trent University, and must be able to show 6 months experience in litigation. An initial batch of Trade Mark Litigators were able to acquire the rights without the need for the full 2 year LLM course, by attending a "crash course" consisting of three weekends of teaching plus some home study, and showing relevant experience.
European Trade Mark Attorney (ETMA): The Office for the Harmonisation of the Internal Market (OHIM) otherwise known as the Community Trade Marks Office, holds a register of professional representatives who are permitted to act before that office. To qualify for entry onto that list, a person can either be a qualified legal practitioner in their own country, or alternatively must have acted before the national trade marks office of their country for a minimum of 5 years. There is no mandatory entry examination to be passed in order for entry onto the list of professional representatives.