The Distance Learning Course on Intellectual Property Law for Judges DLJTIP is Being Introduced on the Initiative of Sakpatenti

On the initiative of Sakpatenti, the process of development and introduction of the specialized Distance Learning Course on Intellectual Property Law DLJTIP of the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy (WIPO Academy) was launched. The course is intended for Georgian judges and is aimed at approximation with the European Union standards and best practices in the intellectual property field. The project is implemented within the Action Plan 2023 of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) Agreement - through cooperation of Sakpatenti with the High School of Justice and with the support of WIPO.

The development and introduction of the course involves translation and customization of the learning material, teaching and training of judge trainers and delivering a pilot course for a target group. After the above-mentioned activities, the course will be handed over for management to the High School of Justice, to ensure integration of judges in the annual program of continuous education. 

The first introductory session and training of trainers took place online, during which on the invitation of WIPO Academy the masterclass was offered by Dr. Bassem Awad, one of the co-authors of the course, judge of the Appeal Court in Toronto. At the meeting, the course structure and content were overviewed, recommendations were issued regarding effective distance learning, in particular, how to prepare the lesson plan, how to formulate questions and grading scheme, also how to prepare the summative report. 

From the next year the program of training trainers will continue in the face-to-face format. In total, 11 trainers will pass the program – 7 judge trainers from the High School of Justice and 4 representatives of Sakpatenti. The course covers 8 modules. To learn the material, approximately 75 hours are necessary, which will be distributed on 8-9 weeks. After completion of the course, a certificate will be issued.

At present, the course is available at the WIPO Academy Distance Learning platform in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Portuguese. Adding of the course in the Russian and the Chinese languages is planned. After successful completion of the stage of introduction, the course will become available in the Georgian language for Georgian judges and candidates for judges.