Sakpatenti Chairman Handed over Certificates to Successful Candidates of the Qualification Examination of Patent Attorneys

The qualification examination of patent attorneys was held in Georgia for the first time since 2014. Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Chairman of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia – “Sakpatenti”, officially handed over certificates to the successful candidates.

In the qualification examination of patent attorneys, which was held in two stages, up to 50 persons participated, whereas 28 candidates passed successfully both stages of the examination.

The qualification examination is a significant part of  the fundamental reform of the institution of patent attorneys. The reform itself  aims to modernize the institution of patent attorneys, develop the profession and align it with the international standards. In this regard, especially important is the new Law “On Patent Attorneys of Georgia”, adopted by the Parliament of Georgia on May 15, 2024, which was prepared by Sakpatenti.

As a result of the reform, a new standard of the qualification examination of patent attorneys was introduced, which will facilitate deepening of professional knowledge of patent attorneys and  development of appropriate skills, attraction of new professionals and formation of a professional corps, in general. Based on the new Law, two specializations were introduced – general and trademark directions. In practice, this is completely new, modern institution, which will be focused on professional development, introduction of novelties and better protection of rights of intellectual property owners. In addition, by ensuring increased credibility of the national system of intellectual property protection, it will make the investment environment in Georgia more attractive for foreign investors. It is also noteworthy that by the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the European Patent Organisation (EPOrg) on Validation of European Patents (Validation Agreement) in 2023, European patents were recognized in our country, which simplified for foreign applicants obtaining of patent protection in Georgia. 

It is important that the qualification examination of patent attorneys was conducted in cooperation with the Training Center of Justice of Georgia, whereas the examination tasks were prepared by foreign and Georgian experts, selected by the recommendation of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO), which ensured harmonization of the examination with the international practice and tailoring of the examinations tasks to the national legislation. 

At the ceremony of handing over the certificates,  the patent attorney candidates were addressed by Mr. Soso Giorgadze, Sakpatenti Chairman,  who emphasized in his speech the special role of the institutions of patent attorneys in ensuring effective functioning of the intellectual property protection system, as well as the importance of the opportunity to obtain the patent attorney status for young professionals. Ms. Gvantsa Varamashvili, Director of the Training Center of Justice of Georgia, also congratulated the candidates on successful passing of the examination.