Q. 1 How do I qualify as a Patent Attorney?
There are formal exams which must be passed to qualify as a Patent Attorney. The Patents Office is responsible for the maintenance of the Register of Patent Agents while the Register of Patent Agent Rules, 1992, governs the entitlement of any individual to entry onto this Register. For further information see the website of the Patents Office. The APTMA itself does not hold any examinations.

Q. 2 How do I qualify as a Trade Mark Attorney?
There are formal exams which must be passed to qualify as a Trade Mark Attorney. The Patents Office is responsible for the maintenance of the Register of Trade Mark Agents while Rules 51 to 59 of the Trade Mark Rules, 1996, governs the entitlement of any individual to entry onto this Register. For further information see the website of the Patents Office. The APTMA itself does not hold any examinations.

Q. 3 Does the APTMA hold tutorials for those wishing to qualify as a Patent or Trade Mark Attorney?
Yes, the APTMA usually holds tutorials but these tutorials are only open to members of the APTMA.

Q. 4 How do I become a member of the APTMA ?
There are various categories of membership. To become an Ordinary Member you have to be either a qualified Patent or Trade Mark Attorney in Ireland and work full time in the profession. To become an Associate Member you have to a special interest in intellectual property and have a place of business in Ireland while to become a Student Member you have to be a pupil of an Ordinary Member of the Association. Election as an Ordinary, Associate or Student Member requires a nomination in writing by two Ordinary Members. All such nominations will then be put forward for election at the next General Meeting of the Association. Nominations should be sent to the Secretary of the Association.