Through a combination of teaching and training tools which include real work experience, the Program is designed to give participants a solid base and real understanding of IP principles on legal, business skills and practical knowledge. As part of the program, tools and their applications are under the scope, focusing on the four main IP disciplines, with an option for advanced learning of other selected IP subjects.
The Arab Intellectual Property Practitioner Program consists of four module advanced courses, each in a major discipline of the Intellectual Property field. The courses offered are as follows:
A. The Modules:
Each course offered for any given module represents almost 120 - 150 study hours including real-work training at an ASIP accredited IP agents or law firms.
The papers are:
Module One: Introduction to Intellectual Property (IP)
Module Two: Trademarks and Unfair Competition (+ training)
Module Three: Copyright and Related Rights (+ training)
Module Four: Patents of Inventions and Trade Secrets (+ training)
B. The Advanced Courses:
Each Advanced Course will be at least 36 studying hours, addressing in depth subjects and issues not covered by the papers.
The Training
The Arab Certified Intellectual Property Practitioner Program (ACIPP) focuses on the practical side of Intellectual Property (IP) and allows students to develop their skills inside and outside the classroom.
The ACIPP program offers intensive 3-4 week real-work training in copyrights, trademarks, unfair competition, patents, and trade secrets in the last weeks of each course with experts from government agencies, businesses, law firms, and agencies . If needed, outside training is offered after the course, in which program participants visit Intellectual Property agencies to understand how Intellectual Property concepts are applied in the field (procedures such as trademark registration, patent licensing, claim drafting, and copyright filing in the National Library).
Study Material:
The main reference for all four papers of the program is the WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook: Policy, Law and Use. The guide was translated into Arabic since the program is taught in Arabic. It is copyrighted to both the Arab Society for Intellectual Property (ASIP) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Additionally, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) book “Intellectual Property and You,” for which ASIP President, Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh wrote the introduction, is also used as a main reference for the course. Furthermore, the “How to Become an Arab Certified Intellectual Property Practitioner” Guide contains a list of supplemental references used throughout the program, including the book “How to Get a European Patent” published by the European Patent Office (EPO). All references are well-known sources on intellectual property recommended by lecturers of the program and experts in the field.
Who Should Apply for this Program?
- Attorneys seeking greater knowledge and understanding of Intellectual Property (IP).
- Individuals who are working in business and management.
- Government employees working in IP registration, trade and investment.
- Advanced paralegals and trademark administrators and other professionals who manage IP portfolios.
- Marketing and advertising professionals, patent and copyright attorneys desiring a primer on trademark law.
- IPRs holders and owners, such as writers and innovators and other professionals who want to know more about Intellectual Property policies and practices.
Enrollment Requirements:
Individuals wishing to enter any courses of the ACIPP Program must hold a university degree (either a two-year or four-year degree is acceptable).
Examinations and Certificate Requirements:
Upon the completion of each course, an Attendance Certificate will be issued to each participant. This Attendance Certificate is independent of the ACIPP Certificate, which is granted after the successful passing of the ACIPP Certificate examinations. Attendance certificates will only be granted to participants attending at least 75% of course lectures.
ACIPP Certificates:
Introduction to Intellectual Property
Trademark Arab Certified Practitioner (TMACP)
Copyright Arab Certified Practitioner (CPACP)
Patent Arab Certified Practitioner (PACP)
Examinations will be held several times a year, and will be in the Arabic language.
The candidate must attain a minimum score of 65 points out of 100 to successfully pass the examination and be granted a certificate.
ACIPP Certificate:
When a candidate successfully completes and receives an Arab Certified Practitioner Certificate in the second, third and fourth papers (Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents), the ACIPP Qualification Advisory Board will grant the candidate upon his/her request the Arab Certified Intellectual Property Practitioner (ACIPP) Certificate.