The European Union NGO acting in the field of Trade Marks, Designs and related rights. Caring for a balance of rights over three decades

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1 The European Union NGO acting in the field of Trade Marks, Designs and related rights Caring for a balance of rights over three decades ECTA Secretariat, Rue des Colonies 18/24, 9th Floor, BE- Brussels, Belgium Tel 32/ Fax 32/ ecta@ecta.org Internet A company limited by guarantee. Reg. in England and Wales No Registered address: Suite 1.3, Vernon House, Sicilian Avenue, London, WC1A 2QH, England. VAT No. BE

2 1. THE ASSOCIATION ECTA celebrated its 30th anniversary in ECTA brings together persons practising professionally in the Member States of the European Union in the field of trade marks, designs and related IP rights. These professionals are trade mark advisors, trade mark attorneys, lawyers practising in industry and all others who can be considered specialist practitioners in these areas. ECTA s aim is to promote the knowledge and professionalism of its members in the field of trade marks, designs and related rights within the European Union. ECTA acts as an informed spokesman on all problems relating to the protection and use of trade marks, (industrial) designs and related IP rights in the European Union. 2. VISION AND MISSION VISION MISSION ECTA is to become the foremost organisation acting in the field of trade marks, designs and related rights, within the European Union The task of ECTA is to promote the knowledge and professionalism of members and owners alike in the field of trade marks, designs and related rights, within the European Union 3. ACTIVITIES The extensive work carried out by the Association so far, combined with the high degree of professionalism and recognised technical capabilities of its members, has established ECTA at the highest level and has allowed the Association to achieve the status of a recognised expert spokesman on all questions related to the protection and use of trade marks, designs, domain names and other business indicators throughout the European Union. In order to realise its objectives ECTA: Maintains permanent contact with and is recognised by the European Commission, OHIM and WIPO as well as national Patent and Trade Mark Offices where ECTA can raise its concerns. Regularly revises its Website to give up-to-date information to the Members

3 Produces bimonthly Flashes to update members on all relevant IP matters and biannual Gazettes with more in-depth articles. Publishes useful Law Books giving in one edition all the relevant legislation on a given subject. Organises annual Conferences. These have been organised since 1983 in a different country of the European Union each year. The conferences address problems concerning trade marks, designs and other related IP rights within the European Union. Transcriptions of lectures and discussions are provided to members and participants after the conference. Arranges annual Joint Meetings with sister Associations - APRAM, BMM, ITMA, GRUR, MARQUES and UNION. Maintains close links with AIM, AIPPI, APAA, ASIPI, BUSINESSEUROPE, FICPI and INTA. 4. ORGANISATION Council and Management Committee ECTA is governed by the Council and the Management Committee. The neutrality of the Association is guaranteed by its Articles of Association, which provide that the Council shall reflect the European Union principle that each Member State is represented on the following basis: Candidates for the Council are proposed nationally by members of the Association resident in each State in question. The object and effect of this structure is to give the activities of ECTA a supranational character within the European Union, excluding any possible national dominance. This is further reinforced by the principle that the President and Vice Presidents of the Association must be of differing nationalities. Committees The Council has delegated some of its powers to Committees, which are together with the Management Committee the heart of the Association and it is from these Committees that its work stems. At this level, the principle of representation of a member from each Member State in each committee has been adopted. In addition, the participation to the various committees of Associate and Affiliate members enhances their discussions. The reports and decisions submitted by Committees or approved by the Council are therefore the result of a European Union approach to each matter under discussion. Committees currently in existence are: Advisory Committee Anti-Counterfeiting Committee Design Committee Geographical Indications Harmonization Committee Internet Committee Law Committee OHIM-Link Committee Membership and Disciplinary Committee Professional Affairs Committee Publications Committee

4 5. MEMBERSHIP Membership of ECTA is reserved to individuals. Six categories of members exist, according to the following criteria: Ordinary Members Nationals of one of the Member States of the EU having their place of business or employment in a Member State and being entitled to practice before the OHIM (Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Regulation N 207/2009 dated 26 February 2009). Associate Members Non-EU national practitioners in the EU and all practitioners outside the EU. Affiliate Members Persons who otherwise than as a professional representative are involved in trade mark matters in the EC or Member States. Student Members Nationals of one of the Member States who: - shall be an undergraduate or post-graduate undertaking a full time course of study at a university in a Member State, and - shall have an interest in the law of trade marks and designs. Recently graduated Members Nationals of one of the Member States who, - have completed a full time course of study and graduated from a university in a Member State. Application to be made within three years of completion of course, - shall have an interest in the law of trade marks and designs. Retired Members Persons that have been an Ordinary Member, an Associate Member or an Affiliate Member for a continuous period of not less than five years and are no longer active in trade mark practice. The Association numbers around 1,500 members coming from 85 countries. Should you wish to join the association, please complete the attached application form for approval by the Membership Committee. Membership will entitle you to use our services and participate in the committees where you can exchange your expertise with other members. Please return the form to: ECTA Secretariat, Rue des Colonies 18/24, Box 8, 9th Floor BE 1000 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32/ Fax: +32/ You will also find the form on ECTA s website at:

5 APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP To : The Council of the European Communities Trade Mark Association. I hereby apply for admission as a Member of the European Communities Trade Mark Association in the category of Membership indicated below. I hereby agree that in the event of my admission, I will be governed by the Memorandum, Articles of Association and Bye-Laws of the Association as they are now formulated, or as they may hereafter be amended. I declare that, at the date of this application, I am a national of... exercise my trade mark activities in (country)... and I am a lawyer a trade mark attorney an in-house counsel other Title (Dr. Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.) (delete as appropriate) Other:... Surname :... First Name(s) :... Company name 1 :... MAILING Address : address :... Fax No. : Country Code... Area Code... Number... Telephone No. : Country Code... Area Code... Number... VAT (or Tax ID) N 2 :...Taxable: Yes: No: Date of Application :... Signature :... Category of Membership : (check appropriate box) Ordinary (EU national entitled to practice before OHIM) Associate (non-eu national practitioner in the EU; all practitioners outside the EU) Affiliate (Persons who otherwise than as a professional representative are involved in trade mark matters in the EC or Member States) Student (EU national undergraduate or post-graduate undertaking a full-time course of study) Recently Graduated (EU national, within three years of completion of full-time study) Retired (previous member (5 years), no longer active in trade mark practice) 1 This information is requested but please note membership is on a strictly individual basis 2 This information is required by European law since January 2011

6 (Art. 92 and 93 EC Regulation No 207/2009 dated 26 February 2009) I am a practitioner in industry (Please provide a written confirmation from your company stating that you deal in IP matters and that you are able to represent your company at the OHIM) I am a lawyer Entry No.. in the list of professional Representatives before OHIM Associate members only I have acted as a professional representative since.... Retired Members only I have been an Ordinary / Associate / Affiliate (delete as appropriate) member for a continuous period of not less than five years and am no longer active in trade mark practice. Associate, Affiliate, Student, Recently Graduated members only I hereby sponsor 2... as an Associate/Affiliate/Student/Recently Graduated (please delete as appropriate) member of the Association Name and signature of Ordinary Member 3 Name and signature of Ordinary Member 3 I am a member of the following IP Associations: AIM AIPPI APAA APRAM ASIPI BMM BUSINESSEUROPE FICPI INTA ITMA MARQUES UNION OTHER... GRUR 2 Name of applicant. 3 Name (in block capital letters) and signature of sponsor. PLEASE NOTE THAT: APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND THEIR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO. The data you have submitted to ECTA is being processed by ECTA Secretariat, Rue des Colonies 18/24, Box 8, 9th Floor, 1000 Brussels, Belgium in conformity with the legislation concerning privacy protection. This data is being processed in view of ECTA s direct marketing activity such as keeping ECTA s members posted of ECTA s activities, sending newsletters or invitations to events. This personal data is exclusively accessible to ECTA s members and staff. The sole personal data publicly available on ECTA s website may be your name and country if you become member of ECTA s Council or Committees. You have the right to access or rectify the data concerning yourself. If you wish to do so, you should send an to ecta@ecta.org clearly stating your name.