CEIPI (Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies) was founded on the 6th september 1963 within the Strasbourg Law Faculty, on the initiative of Professor Bastian.

Professor Burst bacame Director of the Centre in 1971 and in 1975, in partnership with the Law Faculty, he set up a Diploma in Higher Specialized Studies (D.E.S.S. Accords et Propriété Industrielle) and gave CEIPI its international dimension.

The Munich Convention on the European Patent was signed on 5th octobrer 1973. When the European Patent Office was opened in 1977, CEIPI was entrusted with the task of teaching European patent law to future specialists ang agents working with the Office..

Following an EPI/CEIPI/EPO agreement, Dr. Singer set up a course in European patent law, which is organised in a number of European cities under the responsability of tutors. Professor Stauder, Director of the Interantional Section of CEIPI continued this work and developped it under an EPO-CEIPI agreement. On 1st January, 2007, Markus Hoessle has been nominated Director of the International Section of CEIPI in replacement of Dieter Stauder.

CEIPI has also built contacts with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation) in Geneva. A cooperation agreement was signed under which CEIPI has, since 1978 been participating in the training of officials of intellectual property offices in developping countries.

After serving 10 years as General Director of CEIPI, Professor Yves Reboul has been replaced by Christophe Geiger, associate Professor at the University of Strasbourg with effect from 1st september 2008. His profile is a perfect match for CEIPI’s latest European and international projects.

On 5th décembre 2008, CEIPI changed its denomination which is now the "Centre for International Intellectual (instead of "industrial") Property Studies.