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◎ Introduction to Taiwan Patent Attorneys Association (TWPAA)
Even though the Taiwan Patent Act has been effective since January 1, 1949, for a long time no relevant law had been made to qualify patent professionals in this jurisdiction, let alone to form a professional organization for patent attorneys. As such, patent professionals could only be regulated at the administrative level and were recognized as patent agents. Since no such professional association officially existed under Taiwanese law for the past few decades, the patent agents in this country could only communicate and interact with local and foreign organizations under the status of a social group, rather than acting as a professional association.
A draft of the Patent Attorneys Act was submitted to Legislative Yuan in 1988. After being ignored for about twenty years, it was finally passed under the great efforts of the former Director General of Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, Mr. Lien-sheng Tsai. The Patent Attorneys Act was finally promulgated on July 11, 2007 and effective as of January 11, 2008. In August 2008, the first Patent Bar Exam was held in accordance with the newly enacted Patent Attorneys Act, and the Taiwan Patent Attorneys Association (TWPAA) was thereby officially founded on December 11, 2009.
After the TWPAA was established, all of its councillors and supervisors have been endeavoring to ensure its smooth operation in the shortest possible time. All committees also work together enthusiastically to develop various business ventures in order to immediately be of service to TWPAA members and the wider IP society in Taiwan. The work of TWPAA aims at promoting public interests, professional service, transparent process for decision-making and harmony among all fellow patent attorneys. Under our efforts, we hope that the patent attorneys can obtain advanced professional skills and a higher social position in Taiwan. We also hope to assist members in getting reasonable rewards and in developing new business opportunities both in Taiwan and around the world. Among many benefits, the TWPAA will improve the Taiwan patent attorneys’ system and step into a new era alongside other international IP communities.
Goal
Devoting to the reform of patent system, strengthening the professional ethics of patent attorney, promoting the standing of patent attorney, expediting the cooperation and information interchange with patent attorneys around the world, and facilitating the economic development and social welfare.
Mission
- To study, promote and improve the quality of patent practices, domestic patent systems and patent law legislations.
- To study patent preparation, prosecution, enforcement (e.g. patent infringement remedy and exclusion), evaluation and commercialization.
- To study and publish patent law and related regulation amendments.
- To protect the rights and interests of patentees, patent applicants and inventors.
- To protect and improve the mutual benefits and legitimate interests of our members.
- To do dispute resolution between our members, along with strengthening and disciplining members’ ethics.
- To organize educational projects or lectures related to patent and relevant fields.
- To provide and undertake commissioned matters and/or consultations to the government agencies, organizations, or other entities.
- To enhance international communication and cooperation regarding patent and relevant fields.
- To do other matters as allowed by the laws, regulations and bylaws.
◎ Organization
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