European IP Teachers Network

At the end of a very busy time of moving locations (the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, has moved to a brand new location in the Queen Mary Postgraduate Law Centre, Lincoln's Inn Fields) combined with the usual hectic exam period, it was a welcome pleasure to take part in the recent European Intellectual Property Teachers Network (EIPTN) first annual workshop, hosted by Aston Business School earlier this week.

The IPKat takes a chance to visit his cousin, Aston Villa Hercules, at left

The Network has a very interesting history, starting with the UK IP Teachers Network, which met for the first time in 2000. In that first meeting, the sentiment was that these workshops would be an enjoyable social and intellectual gathering at the end of each teaching year, as distinct from the traditional summer conference. And in fact, much of that spirit of an end of academic year "get together" was enjoyed in Birmingham this week! (The IPKat parties for England, at right). Since then, the network has organised workshops on an (almost) annual basis to discuss best practices and new ideas and innovations in teaching.

But this year, it has expanded as a European-wide network, EIPTN, thanks in large part to funding from the European Patent Academy, and in recognition of the growing importance and relevance of wider European practices to our teaching programmes.

The first annual meeting of EIPTN was held at Aston Business School, 25 June 2007, co-organised by Duncan Matthews (QMIPRI) and Claire Howell (Aston Business School). The meeting was preceded by an Annual Dinner on the evening of Sunday 24th June. The annual meeting differs from conventional academic conferences, conceived as an opportunity for IP teachers to meet and exchange ideas in an informal setting, with the focus of discussion firmly on teaching issues rather than research.

The keynote speaker at the event was Stephen Rowan, Intellectual Property and Innovation Directorate, United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, and a member of the team for the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property. In the light of the Gowers Review, Stephen Rowan's address considered whether the intellectual property system is fit for purpose in an era of globalisation, digitalisation and increasing economic specialisation.

Importantly, the Network is inspired, managed and coordinated by the individuals, rather than institutions, but a number of institutions will continue to support the initiative, including QMIPRI. The Network will soon expand to include a dedicated website and mailing list. Meanwhile, please visit www.qmipri.org/EIPTN.htm for ongoing updates and information, mailing lists and details of next year's workshop.

For further information on this year's event and future meetings, contact Duncan Matthews or Claire Howell. And we'll all see you next year!

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