WIPO Master Class on Intellectual Property Adjudication Connects Patent Judges from across the World

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) successfully organized the WIPO Master Class on Intellectual Property Adjudication, from May 31 to June 2, 2023. Held at the headquarters of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) in Munich, and in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice of Germany, the DPMA, the Federal Court of Justice of Germany and the Federal Patent Court of Germany, the event aimed to promote peer-to-peer judicial exchange of patent-related experiences and jurisprudential developments.

A distinguished faculty comprising judges from Germany, Australia, India, the Netherlands, the United States of America, the Unified Patent Court (UPC), and the Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office led the Master Class. They guided participating judges through a wide range of topics, including patentability, claim construction, doctrine of equivalents, specificities of pharmaceutical patents, patent case management, provisional measures, remedies and standard essential patents. These discussions were based on recent court decisions from across the globe, and fostered a deeper understanding of evolving patent jurisprudence among the participants.

The participants were also presented with WIPO’s newly released publication, An International Guide to Patent Case Management for Judges. This Guide offers a comprehensive and practical overview of different stages of patent litigation, and allows readers to create customized guides tailored to their specific areas of interest and jurisdiction.

Coinciding with the Master Class was the highly anticipated launch of the Unified Patent Court (UPC), which marks a significant milestone in the global patent landscape. Participants had the privilege of receiving the latest update on the UPC from Justice Klaus Grabinski, President of the Court of Appeal of the UPC. Additionally, the participants were treated to a visit to the Federal Patent Court of Germany, where they gained valuable insights into the unique features and operations of the Court in charge of validity matters in the country’s bifurcated system.

Bringing together 31 experienced patent judges from 21 jurisdictions , the Master Class served as a platform for judges to establish a collegial network of knowledgeable patent adjudicators from around the world. The WIPO Master Class is part of WIPO’s work to support judiciaries in their vital role of ensuring that intellectual property, innovation, and creative ecosystems are balanced and effective.