Presentation

Founded in 1963, the Center for International Intellectual Property Studies (CEIPI), which is part of the University of Strasbourg, is one of the most renowned centers for education and research in intellectual property (IP) at the international level. Through its diversified and dynamic offer, it trains specialists in the various professions of intellectual property, innovation and related disciplines. A wide range of diplomas as well as trainings for professional qualification examinations and specific seminars are offered. Finally, the Center carries out an important mission of analysis regarding the evolution of IP through its Research Department "UR 4375-Laboratoire de recherche du CEIPI". The Centre has thus positioned itself as a genuine school of thought, playing the role of interlocutor of decision-makers or public authorities in this field.

CEIPI is a body unique in French universities. It has an Administrative Council whose members represent all the professional industrial property circles in Europe, universities and representatives of national Offices and other bodies.

Missions and goals

Consolidating CEIPI's position as a european and international pole of excellence in intellectual property through education and research

Since its creation, CEIPI has been committed to training intellectual property specialists (engineers from prestigious higher education institutes, holders of scientific university degrees, legal scholars with an L.LM or an equivalent degree, practitioners who wish to broaden their own knowledge) for a whole range of professions in the IP field (French or European patent attorneys, IP experts for companies or clients, specialized attorneys, etc).

CEIPI's French Section (Section française) makes these degree courses available to regular or further education students.

The Center is also in charge of the continuing education of European IP professionals and offers specialized seminars and degree courses, organized by the international Section (section Internationale) of CEIPI.

Last but not least, the Center develops a strong research activity through its Research Department in order to keep up with and stay ahead of all evolutions in intellectual property law.

Whether students are engineers/scientists (A) or law students (B), they can choose between 2 types of degree courses.

A) Degree courses for engineers and scientists

There are two scenarios:

• Students who have no professional experience follow a course during one academic year called the "long tuition". It is divided into two six-month periods: the first semester being about Patents and the second about Trademarks and Designs.
• Students who already have professional experience can follow a crash course or "accelerated tuition" throughout the academic year:
  • Accelerated course in Patents for engineers and scientists (9 weeks);
  • Accelerated course in Trademarks and Designs for legal scholars/law students and engineers/scientists who have a CEIPI degree (5 weeks).

All students are awarded either a "Patent of invention" or "Trademarks, designs and models" degree.

B) Degree courses for law students

CEIPI also offers a Master's degree, specializing in intellectual property, in 1st and 2nd years, with a variety of courses, for both initial and continuing training.

CEIPI provides lifelong training for European IP patent practitioners which enables them to keep up with all IP law evolutions.

A) Degree courses leading to a diploma

• The "Patent Litigation in Europe (European Patent Litigation Certificate)" degree: in the perspective of the creation of a future European patent tribunal, CEIPI proposes a course specifically meant for European patent attorneys, in collaboration with EPI (Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office).
• A Master's degree in "IP Management" for IP practitioners focussing on the managing of immaterial assets.

B) Specialized seminars

CEIPI prepares candidates, who are professionals of various member countries of the Convention on European Patents, to the European Qualification Examination that enables them to become European patent attorneys at EPO.

CEIPI also collaborates with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), the EPO (European Patent Office) and other international organisations for seminars and specific events.

For more details on these courses, please consult the “Training” section.

In addition to its educational activities, CEIPI is also a major think-tank on the evolution of IP law.

This activity takes place in CEIPI's research department through a variety of events:

• Organisation of symposiums and special study days,
• Expertise proposed to various bodies including international organisations and collaboration with foreign universities ,
• Publication of books in the CEIPI collection
• Publication of articles and comments on case law in various IP reviews
• Direction of PhDs in IP law
• Counselling of national, international and community decision-makers in IP law

CEIPI is a world-renowned European pole of excellence in IP law in the field of education and research. Since its creation in 1963, CEIPI has trained thousands of IP specialists and has been a European benchmark in IP.