epi Code of Conduct update

The Code of Conduct of the Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi), by which all of Venner Shipley’s European Patent Attorneys are bound, is to be updated to clearly state that it extends beyond the activities of epi members before the EPO, and will also include activities before the Unified Patent Court (UPC).

epi members may act before the UPC both as representatives (Art. 48(2) UPC Agreement), provided they have the necessary additional qualification, and as patent attorneys assisting a representative (Art. 48(4) UPC Agreement).  This includes those epi members based in the United Kingdom.

This amendment to the Code of Conduct is very welcome, as it should give clients the confidence that entrusting their UPC cases to epi members will ensure that they will be handled professionally.

A copy of the latest version of the epi Code of Conduct may be found here.