The Importance of Affiliation

Affiliation to a professional body can gain you, your clients and your industry an informed advantage, says Maggie Ramage, partner at Alexander Ramage Associates. She explains why to Sonja Patel.

Active in the field of trademarks, in both the UK and the US, since 1982, Maggie Ramage became a partner at Alexander Ramage Associates in 1991, and is now on the governing council of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA). Occupying this dual role allows her to see the benefits of affiliating with a professional body clearly, and from both sides: ‘Essentially, a professional body is set up to maintain and legitimise standards of training and ethics, thereby protecting both professional practitioner and client. The practitioner also benefits from the continuous development and training afforded by the experience of a learned society plus great networking opportunities.

‘Most countries have their own bodies for IP professionals operating in their juristiction. However, professional bodies also exist for wider areas such as Europe. Often bodies are also quite specialist; for example ITMA is designed specifically for trademark attorneys in the UK. But there are also specific groups relating to industries such as pharmaceuticals. Affiliate to the right professional body or bodies and the benefits should become apparent immediately.’

Seven reasons to join ITMA
In Maggie’s experience, there are seven key reasons why UK trademark attorneys are increasingly affiliating with ITMA:

1 Support for professional qualifications
Trainee trademark attorneys attend tutorials, seminars and acquire general training to help them pass qualifying examinations and enter onto the official Register. As Maggie explains: ‘Students have to have taken all the qualifying exams – or have exemptions to some – to be entered on the Register. In the past five years alone, a total of 1,960 people have passed some or all of ITMA’s examinations. With ITMA’s help, these examination and registration figures look set to rise, ensuring that standards of practice stay high.’

2 Continual Professional Development (CPD)
CPD is an essential part of membership to ITMA. Through seminars and conferences it updates members on changes in law and practice in trademarks and related fields, so to offer their clients the very best service. ‘New technology, methods of working, legislative changes and the emergence of new industries and professions means there is a growing imperative placed upon practitioners in all types of work, to maintain professional competence,’ says Maggie. ‘CPD resources provide an accessible and standardised way to develop knowledge and skills, and to demonstrate professional standing.’

3 Access to global advice
Close links to equivalent organisations, such as the UK Registry, European Registry, European Communities Trade Mark Association (ECTA) and INTA, means ITMA stays up to date with global changes in law and practice. ‘ITMA’s council retains a very high level of involvement with trademark associations, governing bodies and regulators, across the globe,’ clarifies Maggie. ‘We are proud to be at the very heart of the profession. All the information we accumulate is made easily accessible to our members, so they can keep up with the pace of change in the industry and stay ahead of the game, too.’

4 A respected Code of Practice
The Code of Practice promotes just and honourable practices in the conduct of the trademark professional – a reliable credential for clients. Members are also encouraged to lobby changes in trademark legislation that do not meet this criteria. ‘As a practising trademark attorney the Code has been a vital tool for providing an ethical and legal mainframe within which to operate. In turn, clients benefit from peace of mind in terms of efficiency and confidentiality,’ says Maggie.

‘A professional body is set up to maintain and legitimise standards of training and ethics, thereby protecting both professional practitioner and client.’

5 Raising industry awareness
Public and business communities are becoming more aware of the power of their intangible assets. ITMA believes it is their duty to encourage them to use fully qualified UK attorneys affiliated to a professional body. According to Maggie, who also helps to manage ITMA’s publicity and PR, ‘the sheer volume of trademark applications now going through is often confusing and conflicting information means that people need reassurance that they will stay protected, against all the odds. ITMA’s Code of Practice helps alleviate any worries, plus clients know that cases are put together professionally with the most relevant and up-to-date information.’

6 A worldwide network of members
ITMA fosters global networking and social opportunities through social programmes, events and conferences. A member of the Alliance against Counterfeiting and Piracy, ITMA also encourages links with the UK Bar. ‘Socially, membership of ITMA is an invaluable way to get to know the UK profession and indeed countries outside the UK through our programme of events. At present there are approximately 1,658 members, of which some 375 are from overseas. Networking is legendary in the UK profession, where most ITMA members know each other. This can help hugely in conflict cases, where if you know the attorney on the other side, they are often more reasonable in settling issues,’ says Maggie.

7 Up-to-date news and information services
Members and trademark authorities around the world are updated on industry developments by means of access to exclusive parts of the website (www.itma.org.uk), a monthly newsletter, leaflets and fact sheets. ‘ITMA has given me invaluable information and ongoing updates, without which I would struggle to keep up with developments in the trademark world,’ attests Maggie.

At a glance... professional bodies
IP professionals can join the following organisations:

AIPLA
American Intellectual Property Law Association
www.aipla.org

CIPA
Chartered Institute of Patent Agents, UK
www.cipa.org.uk

ECTA
European Communities Trade Mark Association
www.ecta.org

EPI
Institute of Professional Representatives before the European Patent Office
www.patentepi.com

INTA
International Trademark Association
www.inta.org

ITMA
The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, UK
www.itma.org.uk

FICPI
International Federation of Intellectual Property Attorneys
www.ficpi.org

LES
Licensing Executives Society, USA & Canada
www.usa-canada.les.org

LESI
Licensing Executives Society International
www.lesi.org

Marques
Association of European Trade Mark Owners
www.marques.org

PTMG
Pharmaceutical Trade Mark Group
www.ptmg.org

To find out more about Alexander Ramage Associates visit www.ramage.co.uk

This article first appeared in IP Review, issue 14

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