Features

Establishment of Taiwan Patent Attorney’s Association

The Taiwan Patent Bar Examination initiated in 2008 pursuant to the newly promulgated Patent Attorney Act, in order to meet the multiplex demands for the profession of patent attorney. Six members of our firm were licensed in 2008 through either taking the Patent Bar or a special training course designed for patent agents registered with the TIPO prior to the new law. This year, another three members of our firm passed the Patent Bar, which makes the total number of our qualified Patent Attorneys to 9, and places our firm one of the top 5 IP firms in terms of the new professional qualification.

Accompanied by the Patent Bar Exam, the professional association, Taiwan Patent Attorney’s Association (TWPAA) was established. Currently, there are 128 patent attorneys in Taiwan who have already registered and applied to join the TWPAA. The first session of the first general assembly was held on December 11th, 2009. We are proud that in the first general assembly our senior partner Mr. Thomas Q. T. Tsai was elected as the founding President of TWPAA, while our partner Dr. Augustus C. P. Chin was elected as the Supervisor.

At the primary stage of the association’s establishment, there are many affairs that need the Board of TWPAA’s immediate attention, including establishment of professional ethics, regulations of professional service charges in the marketplace and recent professional concerns such as attorney-client privilege. Most importantly, TWPAA will directly negotiate with ACPAA in the future for having Taiwan citizens to take the Chinese Patent Bar Exam and the feasibility of TWPAA members to convert the practicing license in China.

Once the TWPAA is in full operation, it will hold an inaugural ceremony in March 2010. Elites at home and abroad will be invited to enjoy the grand occasion together, and to celebrate the birth of the TWPAA.