Affiliations

The Academic Association of Paper Engineers at the Technical University of Dresden e.V. (Akademischer Papieringenieur Verein Dresden e.V. - APV Dresden) brings together graduates and students of the Department of Paper Technology at the Technical University of Dresden. It encourages collaboration between members of the association and those working in the paper industry and helps to train the next generation of paper engineers.

American Bar Association (ABA) is the largest voluntary professional association in the world. With more than 400,000 members, the ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) is a national bar association constituted primarily of lawyers in private and corporate practice, in government service, and in the academic community. AIPLA represents a wide and diverse spectrum of individuals, companies and institutions involved directly or indirectly in the practice of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and unfair competition law, as well as other fields of law affecting intellectual property. Its members represent both owners and users of intellectual property. AIPLA was founded in 1897.

Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) is the principal (non-government) professional grouping for patent attorneys in Asia, from India to the Philippines, and from Japan to New Zealand. We have attended as observers at their annual conference for over 20 years. Take a look at the APAA website.

The Association of Trade Mark and Design Law Practitioners (Association des Praticiens du Droit des Marques et des Modèles - APRAM) is an international French-speaking association which brings together experts in intellectual property law. Its members include in-house counsel, attorneys-at-law as well as trade mark and design attorneys.

The International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle - AIPPI) is an international organisation comprising business firms, executives, lawyers, educators, patent and trademark agents, intellectual property owners, and other persons interested in the worldwide protection of patents, designs, trademarks, trade names, know how, goodwill, copyright, and other intellectual property rights and the elimination of unfair trade practices. The purpose of AIPPI is to improve and promote the protection of intellectual property both on an international and national basis.

The Association for IP Data Exchange Standards (Association pour la promotion des Échanges normalisés de Données Informatisées de Propriété Intellectuelle - EDIPI) is made up of private practice IP attorneys, in-house counsels, as well as software and service providers. The association promotes French standard AFNOR NF X50-276 and aims to streamline worldwide IP data exchanges.

Bpifrance is the one-stop shop for entrepreneurs in France. It mainly supports micro-businesses, SMEs and mid-caps but it also accompanies large caps that are considered important to France in terms of the national economy, territories or employment. Bpifrance offers a range of solutions tailored to each key step in business growth, for example business creation, financing, guarantees or equity investment. It is also the French agency for innovation, delivering support programmes to innovative entrepreneurs and providing financial support for IP audits.

Bristol Enterprise Network (BEN) is a dedicated, cross-sector on-line network for high-growth-potential, knowledge-based organisations in the South West. It is facilitated by the University of Bristol and has a current membership of over 1,500 members. Essentially a ‘network of networks' it provides a forum to share news, information and mutual support for, and between, its members who are drawn from business, industry, entrepreneurs, investors and the research community.

British-American Business Council (BABC) is the largest transatlantic business network, with 23 chapters and 2,500 member companies, including many of the world's largest multinationals based in major business centres throughout North America and the United Kingdom.

British Computing Society (BCS) is the leading professional body for those working in IT. BCS has over 68,000 members in more than 100 countries and is the qualifying body for Chartered IT Professionals (CITP). BCS is also an international awarding body for a wide range of qualifications for both users of IT and IT specialists.

Cambridge Wireless Network is a leading and vibrant wireless community with a rapidly expanding network of companies interested in the application of wireless technologies. In addition to high profile VIP networking activities and support for business development activities, they run over 13 Specialist Interest Groups (SIGs), each focused on a specific technology and/or market area. SIG meetings provide opportunities for member organisations to meet, form partnerships and exploit opportunities for new business.

The French Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys Institute (Compagnie Nationale des Conseils en Propriété Industrielle - CNCPI) is a legal entity instituted by law. The CNCPI represents French Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys who guide companies in the protection, defence and promotion of their intellectual property rights (e.g. trade marks, patents, designs, software, databases, new technology rights etc.).

The German Chamber of Patent Attorneys (Deutsche Patentanwaltskammer) is responsible for the admission of patent attorneys and patent attorney limited liability companies as well as registering members of the profession from states of the EEA and Switzerland.

With more than 1500 members coming from all Member States of the EU and beyond, ECTA promotes the knowledge and professionalism of the intellectual property law community in the fields of trade marks, designs, copyright and other intellectual property rights, within the European Union. The association brings together lawyers, from private practices or industry, judges, academics as well as other IP-related professionals who wish to maintain and expand their knowledge in the field of intellectual property.

The International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (Fédération Internationale des Conseils en Propriété Intellectuelle - FICPI) is the only international organisation consisting exclusively of private intellectual property practitioners. FICPI was founded in Europe in 1906 and now has members in over eighty countries around the world, with fully fledged national associations and sections in thirty-two countries.

The Rhône-Alpes Group for the Protection of Intellectual Property (Groupe Rhône-Alpes pour la protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle - GRAPI) works in collaboration with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI). The GRAPI brings together IP professionals to develop and promote intellectual property in the French Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of over 36,000 and is a leading communicator of physics-related science to all audiences, from specialists through to government and the general public.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is the fastest growing professional engineering institution in the UK. It has 80,000 members. By working with leading companies, universities and think tanks, it creates and shares knowledge to provide government, businesses and the public with fresh thinking and authoritative guidance on all aspects of mechanical engineering.

A round-table meeting on Diversity in IP hosted by the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) led to the creation of a pan-professional diversity task force. This task force currently has nearly 40 members from organisations including CIPA, the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA), the IP Federation, the UK association of the International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys (FICPI-UK), the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) and Managing IP magazine. The group has representation spanning patent and trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors and barristers, patent and trade mark administrators, information scientists, IP Office examiners and HR professionals from IP practices. Operating under the banner IP Inclusive, the task force exists to implement the challenging diversity-improving initiatives agreed during the round-table discussions.

The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) is an association of 33 national and regional Member Societies comprised of individuals who have an interest in the transfer of technology, or licensing of intellectual property rights - from technical know-how and patented inventions to software, copyright and trade marks. We are members of national Member Societies in the UK, France and Germany.

Medilink South West - is the region’s life science industry network, providing organisations with specialist advice, events, and opportunities. They aim to reduce the barriers to commercial growth in order to boost the South West’s economic output from life sciences.

Medilink West Midlands - Since 2003, Medilink West Midlands has been a regional leader in developing business networks for medical and healthcare companies, resulting in commercial ventures and business growth. Its advance knowledge of academic and private research, clinical developments and industrial opportunities has encouraged new revenue streams, new products and diversification from other industries. It has worked with members to increase their viability in the market and grow their medical business through technology and knowledge transfer from Universities and the NHS. It achieves this by bridging the gap between those who innovate and those who manufacture.

Medi-Wales promotes and supports the medical and life sciences sectors in Wales by providing networking support, updates on technological innovation, opportunities for collaboration and sources of support. The organisation also provides an effective lobbying voice in the political debate that influences policy in the sector.

Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) is the world's leading trade association for the motor sport, performance engineering, services and tuning sectors, representing the specialised needs of this highly successful global industry, which is rapidly expanding throughout the world.

The Munich Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer München) is a self-governing organisation responsible for the admission and supervision of its members. It advises members on professional law matters, prepares reports for courts and administrative authorities as well as offering seminars for training and further education.

Silicon South West network provides regular networking events, news and national and international promotion for the South West of England’s microelectronics sector - the largest concentration of silicon designers outside Silicon Valley.

The Bio-Industry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative enterprises in the UK's bioscience sector. It encourages and promote a thriving, financially sound sector of the UK economy, built upon developments across the biosciences. BIA represents over 300 members, the majority of which are involved in realising the human health benefits that bioscience promises. UK headquarters are in central London and Edinburgh, the latter serving the interests of over 50 Scottish members. It works to raise standards within the industry and implement best practice as well as working to give its members the tools or introductions they need to reach their full potential.

The Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO) is the world's largest biotechnology organisation, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,200 members worldwide. Its mission is to be the champion of biotechnology and the advocate for member organisations both large and small. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology technologies. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies developing a first product to Fortune 100 multinationals.

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA) is the professional and examining body for patent attorneys (also known as patent agents) in the United Kingdom. It represents virtually all the 1730 registered patent attorneys in the United Kingdom, whether they practise in industry or in private practice.

The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) is the professional body representing those qualified to act for the owners of trade mark and other intellectual property rights, in particular, registered designs - both nationally and internationally. It now represents the vast majority of UK registered trade mark attorneys and all UK trade mark and design litigators.

The European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA) was founded in 1998 and looks after the regulatory and commercial interests of new entrant telecoms operators, ISPs and suppliers of products and services to the communications industry. The association represents the telecommunications industry to key government and regulatory bodies and maintains a forum for networking and business development.

The Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office (epi) is the professional body representing all European Patent Attorneys. Currently the Institute has about 12,300 European Patent Attorneys as members coming from each of the 38 Contracting States of the European Patent Convention who work either in industry or in private practice.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is one of the world’s leading professional societies for the engineering and technology community. The IET has more than 150,000 members in 127 countries and offices in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. The IET provides a global knowledge network to facilitate the exchange of ideas and promote the positive role of science, engineering and technology in the world.

The International Federation of Automotive Engineering (FISITA) is the world body for automotive engineering. It is a federation of the major engineering societies in 38 countries working together to exchange technical knowledge on all aspects of vehicle design and manufacture.

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a not-for-profit membership association of more than 5,000 trademark owners and professionals, from more than 190 countries, dedicated to the support and advancement of trademarks and related intellectual property as elements of fair and effective national and international commerce.

The South East Health Technology Alliance was launched in 2005 as an initiative by industry representatives supported by the regional development agency, SEEDA. They facilitate the profitable and sustainable growth of companies in South East England’s health technologies sector – pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and diagnostics. They do this through leadership, influence, facilitation and signposting. SEHTA acts as a central meeting point for the region, offering access to information, contacts, business support, and specialist business development services.

The South West Angel and Investor Network (SWAIN) connects private investors, or 'Business Angels', with companies looking for investment. SWAIN specialises in helping small and medium sized companies to find equity finance and assists private investors in the South West to search for investment opportunities in businesses with growth potential.

The Universities' Companies Association (UNICO) is the UK's leading representative body of professionals realising the potential of university and public sector research through commercialisation. UNICO members maximise the impact of UK research to benefit society and strengthen the economy by identifying markets for research discoveries; protecting intellectual property; licensing new research; creating quality 'spinout' companies; and providing businesses with the world-class expertise and facilities to solve growth-inhibiting challenges.

The Association of Pulp and Paper Chemists and Engineers (Verein der Zellstoff- und Papier-Chemiker und -Ingenieure - ZELLCHEMING) brings together individuals involved in the development of sustainable paper and fibre-based products and promotes the transfer of knowledge within the association and the industry as a whole. It offers members a wide range of opportunities to get involved in industry activity and maintain personal contacts across generations. There is a special focus on the promotion of young scientists through prizes and scholarships as well as financial and technical support.

The Munich United Paper Association e.V. (Vereinigter Papierfachverband München e.V. - VPM) is a professional association with 700 members. It supports paper and packaging technology students at Munich University of Applied Sciences and hosts annual conferences with various themes across Europe.