Registered Trade Mark Attorney Intensive Course Certificate
- Level(s) of Study: Practitioner / Professional
- Start Date(s): October 2023
- Duration: 6 months
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
The course is accredited by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg). Successful completion of this course will entitle candidates to apply for registration as a Trade Mark Attorney with IPReg.
This is an Advanced Level Professional Qualification course for Trainee Trade Mark Attorneys who have completed, some, but not all of the qualifying papers under the previous qualification system.
The advanced course is also open to Solicitors and Barristers who have significant practice experience in trade marks and have completed and/or been exempted from the required modules within the IPReg Foundation Level Qualification.
This Certificate, designed by Nottingham Law School in conjunction with CITMA, is focused on the development of the knowledge base and professional skills required of a registered Trade Mark Attorney in what is now a fragmented and volatile legal services market. Built upon teaching and assessment methods used to train solicitors and barristers, the advanced course will focus on the outcomes required of the practitioner in the Legal Services Act world.
The course:
- is designed specifically for CITMA trainees and is approved by CITMA / IPREG
- is skills-based and is built upon similar course delivery techniques as the Legal Practice Course for solicitors and the Bar Training Course for barristers
- is designed to use a variety of teaching techniques such as interactive lectures, role play and case study exercises and facilitated discussion groups
- is practical, based on an experiential method of delivery
- uses an eLearning platform called NOW
- utilises the skills of practising Trade Mark Attorneys in addition to members of Nottingham Law School faculty. A number of practising Trade Mark Attorneys have undertaken a Nottingham Law School Train the Trainers course to enable them to develop their skills as tutors.
- uses a method of rotating assessments which means that some assessments are taken throughout the course.
- is graded like the Nottingham Law School LPC, into Distinction, Commendation and Pass
- is delivered in a way that suits busy schedules and minimises the time spent away from the office
- recognises that you will be in private practice or working in-house during the course and seeks to enable you to apply your knowledge and skills to your own practice as soon as possible.
- is taught by a mixture of assignments and attendance.
Why choose this course?
- Are you part-way through the former qualification system?
- Upon successful the completion of this advanced intensive course you will be eligible to apply for entry on the Register of Trade Mark Attorneys.
- Course content has a significant focus on the acquisition of professional skills.
- The course is currently delivered alongside the full Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice course.
What is the RTMA Intensive Qualification Course?
This is the final vocation course and assessment for experienced trainee registered trade mark and designs attorneys. It is a part time course and is assessed by oral and written examinations.
The course has been designed to help you to develop practical skills alongside work in the office. The Certificate focuses on the development of knowledge, understanding and skills in professional and work-based practice. For example, you will see that there are assessments in Advocacy before the Registry, Searching and Clearance Reports, and Interviewing and Advising. These are the practical skills used by Trade Mark Attorneys daily. The course seeks to develop case analysis and problem problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions in order to reach sound judgements. The ability to communicate with clients effectively, both orally and in writing, is central to the teaching and assessment strategy.
Am I ready to take the RTMA Intensive Qualification Course?
This is an important question for you, and for your employer.
The IPReg Competency Framework is a useful central criteria and we recommend that you discuss the framework with your employer.
Review both the general skills set and the technical competency requirements.
Look at the type of work you are actually doing in the office. Don’t guess.
As a guide, set aside a period of five days and look, in a critical way, at your timesheet or diary. Consider how much time you spend on administrative or procedural work or substantive legal advice, drafting, research and reporting;
How many of the IPReg technical competencies can you claim as part of your training to date?
For instance, have you completed a first draft of a specification? Have you helped to prepare a Clearance Report with a colleague? Have you drafted any witness statements for use in Registry Proceedings or coexistence agreements? Whilst your draft may not have formed much of the final version you should be able to point to an attempt, or to a review of a draft completed by a more experienced colleague.
Do I need to do more work in the office before starting the RTMA Intensive Qualification Course?
If you find that you cannot claim most of the technical competencies at the IPREG Basic Level, and at least some of the competencies at the intermediate level, you may need to do some additional work before you are ready to undertake the PCTMP.
What should I do if I decide that I am not ready to take the course this year?
This is a personal choice. Review the competencies and reflect, critically, on where you are right now. It is important for you to get the most out of the course and to be able to contribute to discussions and debate. If you have diagnosed a gap in your knowledge or skill base, think about the best way to address it;
- Do you need to do some additional drafting work?
- Would it help to be seconded in house (if in private practice) or to a trade mark or law firm if, you work for a brand owner?
- Could you ask for support from a mentor to help you to work through some of the IPREG Competencies?
- Do you need to do more oppositions and contentious work if you work only on filings?
- Would you find it helpful to speak with a PCTMP alumnus on an informal basis to discuss the workload and how best to prepare for the course?
Successful completion of the RTMA Intensive Qualification Course is not the end of the road to qualification. You must satisfy IPReg, by way of Statutory Declaration, of your “substantial experience” in trade mark work and your character and suitability to be a be a Trade Mark and Designs Attorney.
What you’ll study
Module one covers non contentious trade mark practice. Module two covers contentious trade mark practice.
Module one will introduce you to the various tasks that you may undertake, from managing a portfolio of trade marks to dealing with trade mark infringement or an action for passing off.
There is significant focus on the acquisition of professional skills, via the use of case studies, in the context of ethics and professional conduct, client interviewing, written and “one to one” client advice and client relationship management.
During module two you will prosecute the various applications made in module one through to registration, including dealing with absolute ground objections and oppositions or invalidations/revocations.
You will also have the opportunity to negotiate with an opponent to the alleged infringement action with a view to putting an agreement in place, a licence or an assignment. Issues such as the mortgaging of trade marks as well as the taxation and potential competition issues (re coexistence agreements) may also be included within the negotiation exercise.
There will be an emphasis on the development of drafting skills (pleadings and skeleton arguments as well as letter writing and advice) as well as case management and client management techniques and advocacy and appearance before the Registry.
In addition, there will be the opportunity for you to also deal with an unsuccessful application to register and an Opposition. You will deal with the refusal, preparing an advice to client and drafting and filing responses, including any issues of client expectation management and the commerciality and strategic nature of advice and options offered to the client.
Module One: Introduction to UK and International Trade Mark Practice, Searching and Client Relationships Skills (including Client interviewing and Advice).
Focus is on substantive legal issues of trade mark practice, including:
- What makes a good trade mark?
- UK trade mark searching, (including register and in use searches); what makes a good, client focused search report for a client
- Filing strategies (national vs. EUIPO and Madrid)
- Initial advice regarding registration (including which mark to register, where, and consideration of designs and domains)
- Trade mark due diligence exercise on portfolio of trade marks – checking registration and any infringement actions or other issues to point out to a purchaser
- Negotiation of assignments and licensing agreements (e.g. taxation, competition law and coexistence agreements).
Module Two: Registry Procedures
Focus is on substantive legal issues of trade mark practice, including:
- UKIPO and EUIPO Practice and Procedure on absolute grounds – applying the Work Manuals
- Grounds for refusal - responses to registry objections on absolute grounds for refusal under Trade Marks Act 1994
- International IP Skills - EUIPO/Madrid searches and reports
- UKIPO and EUIPO Practice and Procedure on opposition and revocation
- Infringement and passing off – comparison of marks and goods, evidence, outline of court procedure.
How you’re taught
Nottingham Law School will be delivering the courses using blended synchronous and asynchronous learning. The modules will cover the same hours of tutor led teaching; however, the modules will be divided into shorter online teaching sessions and delivered over a longer period – Tuesday to Saturday. Saturday’s teaching will be conducted face to face at Nottingham Law School.
eLearning
The course does not consist solely of a limited number of study units in Nottingham. You will also make use of our eLearning facilities. NOW (NTU Online Work space) is a virtual learning portal and a resource which can be accessed from your computer at home or in the office. Course materials, recordings of lectures and assessments can be downloaded and viewed from your computer. In addition, you will be able to access library resources such as Westlaw and Kerly's. NOW can also be used to form online discussion groups. It will be possible for you to contact your personal tutor and group tutors via NOW, to obtain feedback or to ask questions.
It is hoped that NOW will enable a collegiate feeling to develop between faculty and students. You remain a student of the Law School, no matter where you are geographically. NOW provides a mechanism for you to stay in touch, both with your tutors and each other. Find out more about the NOW system on our website.
Careers and employability
Successful completion of this programme is the sole route to formal qualification as a trade mark attorney in England and Wales.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
Applicants for this course must:
- have passed or been exempted from the foundation papers under the former qualification system; or
- have taken and passed at least one of the final former qualification system papers, T3 or T6; or
- be qualified and practising Solicitor or Barrister in the field of trade mark practice
and
- be a Student or Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA).
You do not need to have passed the T4 (Design and Copyright) paper, however, this paper will be required if you are seeking registration as a Trade Mark Attorney with IPReg.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
What are we looking for?
Applicants for this course must:
- have passed or been exempted from the foundation papers under the former qualification system; or
- have taken and passed at least one of the final former qualification system papers, T3 or T6; or
- be qualified and practising Solicitor or Barrister in the field of trade mark practice
and
- be a Student or Affiliate Member of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA).
You do not need to have passed the T4 (Design and Copyright) paper, however, this paper will be required if you are seeking registration as a Trade Mark Attorney with IPReg.
Recognition of Prior Learning
NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.
All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
English language entry requirements
If English is not your first language you need to show us that your language skills are strong enough for intensive academic study. We usually ask for an IELTS test and we accept some alternative English language tests.
For a list of our language requirements please visit our English language page.
If you need to do a pre-sessional English language course to meet the English requirements please visit our pre-sessional English course page.
Help and support
If you have any questions about your qualifications or about making an application to the University please contact our international team for advice.
Fees and funding
Start dates | Course fees |
---|---|
October 2023 | £7,000 |
Career Development loans may be available. For further information please visit the Gov.uk website.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Start dates | Course fees |
---|---|
October 2023 | £7,000 |
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
How to apply
Ready to join us? Just click the Apply button at the top of this page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you have checked the entry requirements above carefully before you start!
Please submit your application by Thursday 1 October 2021. Applications after this date are admitted in the course leader’s discretion. If you have any queries about your application, please contact the course leader.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
You will find information and advice about applying to NTU on our postgraduates’ guidance pages.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Decided on this course? Click the Apply button at the top of this page now. We advise you to start applying as early as you can so that you have time to prepare for your studies. If you need a visa to study here you need to plan this into your application.
If you have any queries about your application, please contact the course leader.
Applying to NTU
For advice on how to make an application to the University, please visit our see our applying guidelines for international students. You should also check out how to write a good personal statement.
Stressing over your student visa application? Visit our visa information page now.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.