Training and refresher courses

Patent Information Specialist

The collection and retrieval of patent publications is a critical component of a company's intellectual property strategy and, quite suitably, becomes work done by a specialist. Within many organisations, patent information specialists have the responsibility for determining how patent information is best made available and how it is best used within their organisations in a strategic manner.

In addition to technical literature, books and conferences/seminars, patents are a very important source of information for managers, scientists and technicians involved in research, development, and in bringing forward new products and processes. Indeed 80% of what is published in patents is not published elsewhere.

Successful innovation is thus inseparable from the proper use of patent information, both concerning the legal-patent aspects as well as the technical-scientific aspects of the innovation process. However, the use of patent information is often far from optimal for the following reasons:

  • the lack of knowledge with the material, on one hand with the scope/meaning of the protection rights and, on the other hand, with the accessibility and retrievability of necessary information
  • patent accessibility is very specific and deviates substantially from other kinds of publications
  • the technical-legal language in patent publications is not aimed generally at disclosing scientific information.

Dutch based GO opleidingen organizes a training program in which these challenges will be addressed.The training is organised under auspices of Dutch Patent Information User Group (WON).

Training and refresher courses

The patent information specialist training consists of seven modules which can also be followed as refresher courses. The training will provide students with a solid knowledge of patent information, in general, however, particular attention is given to patent searches, legal aspects, the accessibility and retrieval of patent information.

Training structure and site

The next training starts September 10th 2012 and is offered over 17 days, divided over 5 weeks, with an additional 7 to 10 hours of study required per week. The training consists of 7 components, which also can be followed individually as a refresher course:

  • Patent documents and their accessibility (M1A)
  • Patent classification (M1B)
  • Patent legal aspects and patent legislation (M2)
  • Searching the internet: web search strategies (M3A)
  • Free text searching and citation searching (M3B)
  • Retrieval and distribution of patent literature (M3C)
  • Approaches for several kinds of patent searches (M4)

The training sessions are held in a dedicated training center in The Hague/Voorburg (Netherlands). All lessons will be presented in the English language.

Admission requirements

Students must have at least a bachelor degree in a technical-scientific discipline. During the training there is frequent use of the Internet. Participants are expected to have some experience of this medium.

Examination

The training concludes with an examination that is overseen by the exchange examining board of GO opleidingen. Candidates who pass the examination will receive an official certificate, registered with a governing body, Stichting Post-HBO in the Netherlands.

Registration and costs

The registration cost for the complete training are € 6490,-. This amount includes examination and training materials which are distributed at start of the training.You may register with our registration form, which you find on the back of our brochure. Registrations are treated in the order received. Places cannot be reserved. However, cancellation of your registration is possible up to four weeks before the start of the training and is only accepted in written form.

Additional information

For detailed information please contact Theo Verbeij.