ItMA
CLIEnts HAVE A RIGHt to KnoW tHEY ARE
BEInG ADVIsED BY PEoPLE WHo ARE fULLY
qUALIfIED As tRADEMARK AttoRnEYs
good track record in keeping additional costs to wish to take these up. There was no compulsion to who use our services, will benefit from these
a minimum. It remains to be seen just how much do so, with the result that some students received developments.
those additional costs will be but early indications immense support and tuition, and others little or
suggest that they will be manageable. none. The whole system was seriously fractured
and in need of an overhaul.
IPReg has featured prominently in my term as
Gillian Deas is president of the ITMA. She can be
president of the ITMA. Although I still have a
contacted at: gdeas-itma@dyoung.co.uk
The new education system is expected to have
few months to go before I hand over the reins
three components. The first will be a law course
in April, I am satisfied that I have steered the
provided by Queen Mary College, comprising a
institute through the labyrinth of regulation so
two-week intensive course followed by 20 days
that it now has a clear delineation of its regulatory
of modular work. The second will be a practice
and representative functions.
course provided by Nottingham Law School
and will entail 13 two-day sessions over two
But the establishment of IPReg has not been the
only issue of major importance to the trademark
years, or less if practical. The third element will
attorney profession. In last year’s article, I
be a work experience requirement, which will
referred to the changes we hoped to introduce
fall under IPReg’s remit. This will require two
to the educational requirements for qualification
years’ experience supervised and signed off by an
as a trademark attorney. This also featured
experienced IP practitioner.
prominently in my activities as president of the
The ITMA is committing a significant amount
Gillian Deas
ITMA in 2009.
of money to setting up the system and keeping
Gillian Deas joined D. Young & Co. in 1997.
Under the old system of education, new entrants
costs for students and employers to a minimum.
Previously, she worked for Shell Oil Company
to the profession had to pass five foundation-level
Provisions have been made to assimilate those
and a multinational tobacco company. Deas
examinations and three final papers, the study
working under the existing regime with those
qualified as a member of ITMA in 1980, as a
for which was often disjointed and certainly
embarking on the new system. Detailed syllabuses
European trademark attorney in 1996 and as
not consistent. Some firms were able to offer
have been devised and discussed with the student a European design attorney in 2003. She was
substantial assistance with training, and others
body. With the new system in place, we believe elected a fellow of the Institute in 2002 and
somewhat less. The institute accepted some that clients will get an even better service than
became president in 2008. She is an associate
university courses as exemptions to foundation- currently. Getting the relevant qualifications will
member of the PTMG and is also a member
level examinations and provided advanced tuition now be streamlined and more consistent. Not
of the INTA and the ECTA.
through approved courses, should individuals only our members, but also the general public
www.worldipreview.com World Intellectual Property Review Digest 2009 31
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